Banking & Financial Rights

An unauthorized transaction you never made or approved.

RBI's circular on customer liability caps your loss based on how fast you report: zero liability if reported within 3 working days (and you weren't at fault), limited liability for 4–7 days, and full liability beyond that unless the bank itself was negligent.

1. Report to your bank immediately — call, SMS, app, or branch. The protective clock starts from when the bank is notified, not when you noticed.
2. File a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call 1930 — many banks/cyber cells can freeze or reverse transactions if reported within hours.
3. Get an acknowledgment and complaint reference number from your bank.
4. If unresolved in 30 days, or you're unsatisfied, escalate to the RBI Ombudsman.

Harassment, threats, odd-hour calls or visits, or public shaming over a loan default.

RBI's Fair Practices Code bars threats, intimidation, contact outside 8am–7pm, and publicly shaming a borrower (e.g. informing neighbours or an employer).

1. Document the harassment — calls, messages, visits, with dates and times.
2. File a written complaint with the bank/NBFC's Grievance Redressal Officer.
3. If unresolved in 30 days, escalate to the RBI Ombudsman.
4. For genuine threats or intimidation, you can also file a police complaint — this can amount to a criminal offence.

A failed UPI/card transaction where the money was debited but never reversed.

1. Raise a formal complaint with the bank's grievance cell — RBI's Turn Around Time framework requires resolution within a fixed number of days, often with automatic compensation for delay.
2. If unresolved, escalate to the RBI Ombudsman.

An error or possible identity issue in your credit history.

1. Get your free credit report from the credit bureau (CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, or CRIF).
2. Raise a dispute directly with the bureau — they must investigate with the reporting bank within 30 days.
3. If unresolved, escalate to the relevant RBI Ombudsman scheme.