Oct 25, 2003 07:37 PM
4120 Views
(Updated Oct 25, 2003 07:37 PM)
In my desparate attempts to become a ''BIG BOY'', I opened an ICICI bank account. Since I was (and still am) below 18, they had something SPECIAL for me.
This special thing was a Kid-E-Bank aka Young Stars Account. The features of this kind of an account are::
Rs. 500 minimum balance (Very Good !!)
Free Domestic Debit Card (I would be the coolest guy in the neighbourhood !!)
Here is what happened::
One 'fine' day, I took my mother along to open the account::
PART 1 :: REGISTRATION
I asked for the form. They gave it to me. They also gave me an introduction to its features. Even though, my mom had an account under ICICI, she had to give her proof of Identification.
The personnel asked her, ''Do you have a PAN card?''. She asked this question even after she had seen the PAN number written on the form.
Mom replied loudly ''YES''.
She went inside and came back after 15minutes. Guess what was in her hand ??(!!)
Form 60/61..which had written on it ''TO BE DUELY FILLED BY A PERSON NOT HOLDING A PAN CARD''.
I managed to control my voice, and told her politely ''My mom has got a PAN Card''. She was very irritated at this (God knows why!!). she took the PAN card, made a xerox copy of it. We paid Rs. 500 by cheque. They gave me a reference number and promised that the account will get opened in ''5 or 6 working days''.
After 10 days(when nothing had happened) I called up the HelpLine. They said that the chequebook was on its way to me and the Debit Card has not yet been dispatched.
After many days and nights, I got my dream thing :: ''Debit Card''...errr...''Debit Card Pin''
The card was yet to arrive. The card arrived. Off I went to check the Card. Great !! - I had entered a wrong pin (even though it was same as the one I got).
Bewildered, I just waited for the next morning, to go to the Branch and complain.
Another GREAT THING HAPPENED, I GOT ANOTHER PIN NUMBER.
I TOLD EVERYTHING TO THE BRANCH. They said that the first was of ''Telebanking'' (a facility which I had'nt opted for). I could'nt control this time, and straight I went to the Branch manager. He apologized and then did everything.
After 2 months since I had opened the account, my card was working !!
PART II
After quite a few days, when I was well friendly with my card, I had gone to Dimapur (Nagaland) to spend some time with my father, who was posted there. There was no ATM or ICICI bank branch over there. For 13days, my card was not used.
In the airport ATM (Dumdum airport Calcutta), which is an ICICI bank ATM, I tried to draw money. The card was retained by the ATM - giving me a report ''UNAUTHORIZED CARD USAGE''. I was taken aback. I got my card back from the branch after a weak.
The card was deblocked (as informed by the branch), so I tried it on a third-party ATM. The card was retained again.
And till date (2weeks), I have not received my card.........
