Dear Experts
I am writing for your advice on a credit card fraud I have been victim of. The incident is as under:
I am working in a multi-national company as Regional Manager for India & South East Asia. I travel extensively for work. On 18 Oct, I was robbed by some unidentified men in Shanghai near my Hotel (Hotel Hilton) while I was returning to the Hotel. They snatched my wallet, took ~ 200 RMB cash from it & returned the wallet back after 10 minutes. They made transaction with all my 3 Credit Cards (as I came to know after talking to their helplines afterwards) - HDFC, American Express & Citiabank. Out of which, only HDFC was compromised. HDFC told me some M/s PU DONG XIN QU TANG swiped 5000 RMB (Rs 50257.57) on my credit card. I followed the process with all credit cards thereafter, but now HDFC is claiming the fraud transaction sum with me.
I have following points & questions in my defence.
2. No-one from HDFC security department called me to check whether this high value transaction was made by my consent or not.
3. I asked HDFC specifically by an email if I am needed to lodge a police complaint? I didn't progress further because their representative assured me that 'this transaction will be reversed, nothing to worry'. I did inform local police. Two police officers came to my room in the Hotel along with Hotel Manager. They recorded my statement and went back. They asked me to come to police station if I want to register a complaint. I waited for HDFC to advice, but when they didn't, I thought the matter is resolved, so I didn't log complaint with China police.
4. While HDFC honored the so called transaction, both Citibank & American Express denied the same transaction. HDFC representative who came to me for getting a customer dispute form signed confirmed to me that he has checked with both cards and confirmed they denied the transaction. Why HDFC security system is not as good as others? Why should customers pay for their shortcomings?
5. Upon my insistence, HDFC produced the transaction slip from the merchant. It clearly had a very different signature than mine (inscribed on the credit card). I sent scan copy of my signatures to HDFC Cards and asked them why did Bank honour the transaction when merchant produced different signatures than customer's? But, I didn't get any reply.
6. I even asked Bank to provide details of the merchant so that I can log a FIR with Mumbai Police, and I also asked Bank if I should log a FIR with Mumbai Police. But I haven't got any reply.
The bank is not replying to any of the pertinent questions asked, but just maintaining its rant that I should pay because credit card was physically swiped.
I am attaching the transaction slip & my card scan copy for your reference. Also attaching all relevant correspondence with the Bank.
I am not sure how to protest. Can you please advise any action which I can take with your help to prove my innocence or to fight with HDFC Bank?
Would appreciate forum and experts help. My email ID is nitinsoni80 on gmail.
+919223380905