SBI Charged ₹2,999 Fee You Never Agreed To: Fight Back
A woman asked SBI for a low-fee credit card but was given a high-fee one charging ₹2,999 annually. When she asked to close it, SBI refused. This is an illegal banking practice — and here's how to fight it if it happens to you.
₹2,999 is roughly 75 cups of chai — gone because a bank ignored your request
SBI billed you this fee even after you asked for a cheaper card
Key Takeaways
Check your credit card welcome letter and application form — if the card tier or fee differs from what you requested, you have grounds for a formal dispute.
Write a closure request to your bank branch and keep a copy; if the bank does not act within 7 working days, escalate to RBI's Banking Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in at no cost.
Review your last 12 months' credit card statements for annual fee charges on cards you did not explicitly choose — disputed charges can be claimed back through the Ombudsman.
A woman asked SBI for a low-fee credit card but was given a high-fee one charging ₹2,999 annually. When she asked to close it, SBI refused. This is an illegal banking practice — and here's how to fight it if it happens to you.
Here's what happened: A woman requested a low annual-fee SBI credit card but was issued a premium card charging ₹2,999 per year without her informed consent.. When she asked SBI to close the unwanted higher-fee card, the bank refused — a violation of RBI's credit card fair-practice guidelines.. The case highlights a common mis-selling pattern where customers are quietly upgraded to fee-heavy cards they never agreed to..
What you should do: Check your credit card welcome letter and application form — if the card tier or fee differs from what you requested, you have grounds for a formal dispute.. Write a closure request to your bank branch and keep a copy; if the bank does not act within 7 working days, escalate to RBI's Banking Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in at no cost.. Review your last 12 months' credit card statements for annual fee charges on cards you did not explicitly choose — disputed charges can be claimed back through the Ombudsman..
If an annual fee was charged without your consent, specifically cite 'RBI Master Direction on Credit Cards, 2022, Clause 6' in your written complaint — banks respond far faster when you name the exact regulation.
Compare 100+ Loan Options — Free
GoCredit's AI matches you with lenders most likely to approve YOUR profile. Zero CIBIL impact, no app needed.
Show My Loan Offers →References
- [1]“SBI refused to close higher fee credit card given to woman who asked for a cheaper one, charged Rs 2,999 i - The Economic Times” The Economic Times · 12 Oct 2026
This article is reported by GoCredit's Editorial Team based on the source above. GoCredit synthesises, contextualises, and adds India-borrower-relevant analysis. We are not the original publisher.
Every story here posts to X the moment it breaks. Follow @gocredit_news →