I had applied for a car loan in the month of October (2007) from HDFC Bank and it was approved. But, at that time, the HDFC Bank executive told me that my name shows in the defaulter’s list as Richa. One of my cousins has the same name.

When I applied for a personal loan from Barclays Bank, they rejected it, stating the same reason. I am sure my cousin never took the loan or ever used any kind of proof from my end of such a thing. What do I do?

HDFC Bank is charging me service tax on interest paid for a personal loan (availed against a credit card) EMIs being paid every month. The loan interest is not a kind of service. Is the bank correct in its policy of charging me the service tax for the same? I did speak to the bank officials and they said that, “We take this opportunity to clarify that as per current Government of India guidelines, service tax as applicable will be levied on the prescribed fees, interest and other charges as applicable from time to time. Service tax will be applied on each of the applicable items and will be reflected in the Card member’s statement. We would like to inform you that the service tax has been recently revised from 12.24% to 12.36% effective from 11th May 2007. Hence, all EMIs that are being billed currently carry the difference in the service tax as ‘ADD CESS’ and the same is payable by you.” Is it correct on bank’s part? Please advise.

My salary account is with ABN Amro bank. Can I give cheques of HDFC bank as PDCs if I have taken a personal loan from a MNC bank? Another question is, why don’t banks provide the customer with reasons of rejecting the personal loan application or a credit card application? The answer that we get is ‘due to internal bank policy’. Aren’t there any laws that make it mandatory for the bank to provide reasons?

I was using a HDFC credit card issued in Hyderabad. I have been constantly travelling and shifting places as a part of my job requirement. In the meanwhile, I have ended up defaulting, not having made a payment due, even after four months passed by. A couple of months later, the collection agents called me for regarding the payments due. I made the payment promptly. My card is still blocked and I believe they have marked me as a defaulter in the credit bureau. As a result, I am not getting any other credit card. I requested them to unblock the card which didn’t happen (don’t know the reason). I am not receiving any statements from them and I am being told to make the payment due (which is not a fact).

I am charged a hell lot of amount as late fees and all, whereas they don’t care to send me a statement. I have logged a complaint in their website recently and am waiting for a reply. I don’t think this is a fault all from my end. Please advice me how to deal with this and what to do about the Credit Bureau?

My father was using HDFC credit card. He passed away in January and has left no assets. I am a student doing my engineering. My mother passed away earlier and I am living with my aunts. I have borrowed money for my final year education and have no money to clear the outstanding credit in his name. I was told that credit card debt is unliable debt. The credit card company has been calling me and harassing me to quit education, beg or steal to repay them. Kindly advice me on what do I do next?

A close friend of mine, Mr. Ramzan R. Motani has expired in the recent bomb blasts in July 2006. He had credit cards from HDFC/HSBC with an approximate due of Rs.22, 000. Reliable sources have informed us that is an insurance of Rs.2 lakh for personal accident. The bank hid this and did not issue a claim form. They said that the above mentioned case is not an accident case and are not issuing a claim form.