Mumbai, May 16 (KNN)  If a  customer, individual or business enterprise, is being short-changed by a bank, the doors for RBI ombudsman are open for redressal, the central bank has said today.
 
"If you have complaints regarding conduct of banking transactions and business at your bank or you experience any deficiency in banking service such as written promises not being adhered to; failure on part of the bank to disclose important terms and conditions while selling financial products/services; not communicating clearly the charges and conditions regarding banking services and other financial products; not adhering to the code of RBI guidelines; not adhering to the code of bank’s commitment to customers as issued by the Banking Codes and Standards Board of India… customers must first approach their bank first for redressal of the grievance ….", the RBI said in a notification.
 
Customers often complain of hidden charges by banks, particularly in the private sector. Lodging such complaints will not cost them anything, according to the Banking Ombudsman Scheme of 2006.
 
However, should customers fail to receive response within a month or are dissatisfied with the reply from the bank, they can contact the Banking Ombudsman for their region, appointed by the RBI who will help in resolving the complaint.
 
While written complaints are to be sent by post/fax, online complaints and those sent by email will also be accepted, the apex bank said.
 
Besides contact details, customers are asked to provide name and address of bank against which the complaint is made, facts giving rise to the complaint, nature and extent of the loss caused, and the relief sought.
 
For complaints in respect of bank accounts with bank branches located in Delhi, J&K, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar District of UP, Haryana (except District Panchkula, Yamuna Nagar and Ambala, customers are asked to address complaints directly to the Banking Ombudsman in RBI.  (KNN/ES)