You were expecting your monthly mobile phone bill to be not more than Rs 500, but when you get the bill, it reads Rs 800 in the 'due' column. When you read further, you come across a list of '
services' and
'taxes' you had no idea even existed.
Sounds familiar? Those who regularly deal with banks, insurance and stock companies and other finance-related setups and even mobile phone operators, may have often come across what is popularly called
'hidden fees' or
'hidden charges' imposed by such companies.
When a representative of a bank or an insurance company comes to your door, he/she will explain to you only the merits of the scheme, but never disclose its risks or demerits. At that point of time, hidden charges stay hidden, and no sales or insurance representative will speak of it. In fact, they will deny such charges outright, and some may even use the line '
no hidden charges' as an ad campaign, only
to fool the customer until the time comes to collect the booty.
In a positive step towards eliminating or at least alleviating this problem, the union ministry of consumer affairs recently launched a public forum to help people who are duped using so-called
'hidden charges' by banks, insurance companies, stock exchange companies and mobile operators.
If you are charged with any 'unwarranted' fees, you may do the following:
Log on to www.ccccore.co.in to lodge an online complaint. It provides you not only a forum to seek redress, but also gives details of recent judgements, information about consumer related acts and rules, news and other information.
Or, call 18001804566 (toll free) to register a complaint over the phone.
There are also other options:
For banking related issues: RBI -
www.rbi.org.in
Insurance services: IRDA -
www.irda.gov.in
Stock related affair: SEBE -
www.sebi.gov.in
Contact number for
National Consumer Helpline : 1800-11-4000 (toll free) / 011 - 27662955 / 56/ 57/ 58 (normal call charges applicable). From 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (Monday to Saturday).
