Bank Debits: Nowadays, people frequently complain that their banks have arbitrarily deducted money under the guise of various charges. When faced with this issue, customers often turn to customer care. While calling customer care is a common first step, it is not enough on its own. To recover your money, it is crucial to lodge a formal complaint correctly and take action within the stipulated timeframe.

According to a report by our partner website CNBC-TV18, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has established specific rules to protect customers from unauthorized digital transactions. If the bank fails to resolve your issue promptly, you can escalate the matter to the RBI Ombudsman. If an incorrect or unauthorized charge has been debited from your account, take these six immediate steps to recover your funds:

1- Report unauthorized transactions immediately

If a transaction has occurred on your account that you did not initiate, notify your bank immediately through its official channels without delay. Under RBI regulations, if a customer reports an unauthorized transaction within three working days of receiving an alert from the bank, their liability is often zero. Delaying the report can increase your financial risk; therefore, do not wait for your next bank statement—file a complaint immediately.

2- File a written complaint to seek a refund

In addition to calling the bank, it is essential to register your complaint in writing. You can submit a formal written complaint via the bank's mobile app, online portal, email, or by visiting the nearest branch. Ensure the complaint includes details such as the transaction date, the amount deducted, and a clear explanation of the error. Subsequently, preserve the complaint reference number, email threads, screenshots, and any responses received from the bank. In cases where RBI regulations apply, the bank is required to provisionally credit the disputed amount to the customer's account within 10 working days of receiving notification.

3- Ask for proof if the fee is incorrect, rather than assuming fraud

Often, the issue is not fraud but an incorrect fee—such as the bank deducting an amount higher than its prescribed rate list. In such cases, ask the bank to explain the charge by citing its terms and conditions and to provide a breakdown of the calculation. Keep your bank statements, fee schedules, and records of all communications with the bank safe, as a strong documentary file significantly bolsters your case.

4- Give the bank time to respond before approaching the Ombudsman

Before approaching the RBI Ombudsman, it is mandatory under the rules to first raise the complaint with your bank. The Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026, provides a completely free grievance redressal mechanism against deficiencies in services offered by financial institutions. You can approach the Ombudsman if you do not receive a response from the bank within 30 days of filing the complaint or if you are dissatisfied with the bank's response.

5- File a complaint on the RBI portal if the bank does not help

If your bank fails to provide a satisfactory resolution to your issue, you can file a complaint directly through the RBI’s Complaint Management System (CMS). This entire process is completely free of cost. Additionally, you can call the RBI helpline number 14448 to understand the status of your complaint and the overall process. Complaints filed under the 2026 scheme must meet eligibility criteria and be submitted within the stipulated timeframe following the expiry of the bank's response period or upon receipt of a response.

6- Remain vigilant until the money is refunded

Merely filing a complaint does not conclude the matter. Keep a close watch on your bank account to ensure there are no further irregular deductions and to verify whether the refund amount has actually been credited. If the bank has issued a provisional credit, preserve all evidence until the matter is officially closed. Keep transaction alerts enabled on your account for the future and check your bank statements periodically. Make sure to challenge any incorrect deduction—no matter how small—and always keep your supporting evidence organized.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Money Control. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.