The District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum has directed State Bank of India (SBI) to pay compensation of Rs 7,000 for deficiency in services on account of settlement of a credit card amount. Sector-14 resident Vijay Chopra was issued a credit card by SBI. In 2008, the bank offered a one-time full and final offer to settle the outstanding dues against the credit card account on payment of Rs 85,000 in two instalments. Chopra further claimed that he accepted the said offer and paid Rs 85,000. He alleged that the bank did not adhere to the offer and settle the credit card account despite the payment.

The complainant then received a demand notice asking him to pay a sum of Rs 1, 60,986. In his complaint, Chopra stated that the demand of the bank amounts to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. In its reply, SBI pleaded that it had settled the account of the complainant in January 2009. In the orders, the forum stated: “It is apparent that the account was cleared in January whereas the entire amount was paid in August 2008. In the meantime, the demand notice was issued by the bank in September 2008 which amounts to deficiency in service.”