HDFC Bank forged my signature and changed application form!

Surprising but a true story where a trusted bank forged my signature and replaced my credit card application with their own copy.


SHORT VERSION

Note:

• There is only one tick mark to send physical statement to residence
• Marketing Consent is not selected
• Statement only by email is not selected

Note:

• This is a totally different form with different content than the one I submitted
• Aadhaar consent is added which was not there in the form I submitted
• Marketing consent is tick marked which was not there in the form submitted by me
  • Also note variation in the tick mark style
• Statement only by email is tick marked which was not there in form submitted by me
• Forged signature
  • Variation in the style of how S is written
  • I write “s” & “m” in continues, whereas here you can see m is written attached but separately
  • Change in writing style of letters g, d and e

LONG STORY

Based on recommendation of my close friend Aadil, I wanted to get HDFC Diners Black Credit Card. I had submitted an application for HDFC Credit Card and Saving Account on 5th August 2019. Documents for the same was collected from HDFC bank official representative.

I don’t sign such applications blindly leaving it for someone else to fill it. Instead I take time and fill all the fields personally and then sign it. In the form there was option for e-statement(only by email) which I had not opted. Like every time, I had even taken photos of the said application from my mobile for my reference.

A month later I learnt that I had not received physical statement of the credit card from HDFC Bank. I always write emails and never call for customer service. It saves me time and also acts as documented evidence. I wrote a complaint email to HDFC Bank customer care on 16.09.2019

For this I received a response saying I had opted for e-statement and they wanted me to submit another form to remove official ID.

There was no way I could agree on that and so I replied back asking proof on application page.

Finally after months of time HDFC Bank official executive emailed me the copy of application they have at their end.

I was suprised to see that the application page was different than what I had submitted, with different options than what I selected and a forged signature.

With the documented evidence given above it is pretty clear that HDFC Bank replaced my application with their own different copy and even forged by signature. Unbelievable activity from bank like HDFC, yet true!

SIDE STORY

I had also submitted application to open Savings Account along with credit card. I use another private bank for my primary account(zero charges for everything and best forex rate in the market) and pretty happy with their unlimited ATM withdrawal services. Since I use credit card for all other transactions, I did not opt for debit card while submitting HDFC Bank Savings Account application.

But later I received the debit card with a shock and HDFC bank charged me for Rs. 590 on 27.08.2019. In that regard I made a complaint to HDFC bank on 29.08.2019 and after verifying my complaint, HDFC bank has reversed the said amount of Rs. 590 to my account on 03.09.2019

I thought the debit card fees was charged by mistake and had asked reversal by sending picture of application I had. I should have probably asked copy of application from them here as well. After getting to know signature forgery for Credit Card application, I have asked HDFC Bank to email me copy of my savings account application as well. Still waiting for their response on that.

It looks like HDFC Bank just want to keep charging people without their consent. I’m sure there are millions of people in India who will not notice it(I wouldn’t, if it was not a new account) and hence generating revenue for HDFC Bank.

I have also not enrolled for aadhaar because it cannot be by sole identity and will resist it as long as possible. Saving Bank Account Application had consent for aadhaar and I has struck off that part. This is posted on twitter as public evidence on 5th August 2019(date I submitted application).

See more

When #aadhaar is voluntary why is @HDFC_Bank including consent in account opening form? The form needs revision @HDFCBank_Cares pic.twitter.com/gWM8URNzDf

— Sandeep Hegde (@SandeepHegde) August 5, 2019

I’m also surprised to see that aadhaar consent which was not there in the credit card application submitted by me is added in the document given by HDFC Bank with forged signature.

I’m not sure what was the need for HDFC bank executives to do such an illegal thing. May be its a common practice for them to do it for millions of other people. But this time they messed with a wrong guy. I spoke with my school friend, Karnataka High Court lawyer Ashok Mesta and taking legal steps.

HDFC bank officials have committed breach of trust and other offences which will attract the provisions contained under Indian Penal Code, 1860.
I have filed a complaint with Police(surprisingly they were approachable and friendly).

I have also sent legal notices to the Branch Manager, Nodal Officer and Principal Nodal officer. So far HDFC Bank has not responded to my complaint. My lawyer friend Ashok will be taking the matter to court and will keep updating this post with future events.

Reading this post, it might have already come to you thought to be careful with any banking/finance guys. I suggest you to fill up the forms yourself and keep a copy for your reference. It may also be a good idea to start asking online customer care executives for copy of document in their system(that is the only way to make sure).

UPDATE 1
HDFC Bank says their employee forging my signature is a human error!

If you had similar experiences do comment on the post.

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