Scam by Icici bank, Emeralde CC

[arjun]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my experience with ICICI Bank regarding an issue with the Emeralde Credit Card offer I received and seek advice on how to proceed.

In December 2024, I received an offer in the iMobile app for the ICICI Emeralde Credit Card as Lifetime Free (LTF). I was shocked because it’s a premium card, and currently, I already hold the following LTF ICICI credit cards:

ICICI Coral LTF

Coral Rupay LTF

Sapphiro Dual LTF

Amazon Pay CC

Since the app didn’t allow screenshots, I took a picture of the offer using another phone (thankfully). Excited, I shared it with friends and also called ICICI customer care to confirm. They told me:

> “If the offer is showing in the app, then it is valid. However, we cannot check what offers you see in your app from our end.”



The next day, I reconfirmed with customer care, and again, they assured me:

> “If the offer is showing in the app, you are eligible for it.”


So, I applied, got the card, and was not charged any joining fee initially. However, after one statement cycle, at the end of January, I was suddenly charged a joining fee. I immediately called customer care and raised a dispute.

Their response? They claim nothing can be done, even after escalation. They even stated that their RBI executive confirmed this decision and that I would have to pay the fee.

This is extremely disappointing, and I feel misled. I am considering raising a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman, but I need advice on the best way to approach this.

Has anyone faced a similar issue with ICICI or other banks?

What’s the best way to escalate this effectively?

Any insights on how to draft my RBI Ombudsman complaint?


Any help would be appreciated! @TechnoFino @bhavyegoel @Subhankar @ashwink @SSV @BVC @jatinkrmalik @telescope

 

[kuchbhikuchbhi is verified member.]

Also you could have dropped a mail to
managingdirector@icicibank.com
And
Senior.management@icicibank.com

 

[callsignmaverick]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my experience with ICICI Bank regarding an issue with the Emeralde Credit Card offer I received and seek advice on how to proceed.

In December 2024, I received an offer in the iMobile app for the ICICI Emeralde Credit Card as Lifetime Free (LTF). I was shocked because it’s a premium card, and currently, I already hold the following LTF ICICI credit cards:

ICICI Coral LTF

Coral Rupay LTF

Sapphiro Dual LTF

Amazon Pay CC

Since the app didn’t allow screenshots, I took a picture of the offer using another phone (thankfully). Excited, I shared it with friends and also called ICICI customer care to confirm. They told me:

> “If the offer is showing in the app, then it is valid. However, we cannot check what offers you see in your app from our end.”



The next day, I reconfirmed with customer care, and again, they assured me:

> “If the offer is showing in the app, you are eligible for it.”


So, I applied, got the card, and was not charged any joining fee initially. However, after one statement cycle, at the end of January, I was suddenly charged a joining fee. I immediately called customer care and raised a dispute.

Their response? They claim nothing can be done, even after escalation. They even stated that their RBI executive confirmed this decision and that I would have to pay the fee.

This is extremely disappointing, and I feel misled. I am considering raising a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman, but I need advice on the best way to approach this.

Has anyone faced a similar issue with ICICI or other banks?

What’s the best way to escalate this effectively?

Any insights on how to draft my RBI Ombudsman complaint?


Any help would be appreciated! @TechnoFino @bhavyegoel @Subhankar @ashwink @SSV @BVC @jatinkrmalik @telescope

I know this might sound a little unpopular but if you have the spare time, patience and energy go ahead and take this up with RBI Ombudsman. Visit your branch manager in person to see if he can do something else take it up to RBI.

On the other hand if you want peace, just call the bank tell them you won't pay the annual fee and ask them to close the card. Sometimes the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

 

[telescope]

On the other hand if you want peace, just call the bank tell them you won't pay the annual fee and ask them to close the card. Sometimes the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

It's bad idea IMO. Without paying it it'll affect cibil score.

 

[jetesh]

The card I got was Visa infinite only but the app shows visa platinum

Old tech by ICICI. It shows that way.

O H K A Y .... got it

 

[callsignmaverick]

It's bad idea IMO. Without paying it it'll affect cibil score.

No I didn't mean it like that. I meant - Ask the bank to reverse it or tell them to close the card (and reverse the fees).
This option works almost all the time when most of us are charged renewal fees for a card which we don't want to use any further. I have gotten the fees reversed and closed cards with SBI, ICICI, Citi & Amex this way.

The only issue you might face is if you have already done other transactions on the card.

 

[arjun]

No I didn't mean it like that. I meant - Ask the bank to reverse it or tell them to close the card (and reverse the fees).
This option works almost all the time when most of us are charged renewal fees for a card which we don't want to use any further. I have gotten the fees reversed and closed cards with SBI, ICICI, Citi & Amex this way.

The only issue you might face is if you have already done other transactions on the card.

I have already done other transactions.

 

[sjmajumder]

Send email to PNO, or directly file complaint with RBI BO with all the proofs.

@sjmajumder is the veteran here to help you out.

It will be very difficult (when I say very difficult, I am actually being very optimistic) to prove as the photo of the LTF card offer does not show anything related to you, like name or card number for which upgrade offer was given. Additionally ICICI mentioned that they retrieved mobile logs and found paid option was selected. Do you have photo of each screen during application process showing your details plus lifetime free offer? If not, I will suggest you request ICICI to reverse the charges and cancel the card (unless you want to keep the paid card). You won't be able to win RBIO case with only that photo.

 

[telescope]

It will be very difficult (when I say very difficult, I am actually being very optimistic) to prove as the photo of the LTF card offer does not show anything related to you, like name or card number for which upgrade offer was given. Additionally ICICI mentioned that they retrieved mobile logs and found paid option was selected. Do you have photo of each screen during application process showing your details plus lifetime free offer? If not, I will suggest you request ICICI to reverse the charges and cancel the card (unless you want to keep the paid card). You won't be able to win RBIO case with only that photo.

this is a very valid point. It would have been better if OP had taken video of the app while applying, with login screen with name.

 

[kuchbhikuchbhi is verified member.]

this is a very valid point. It would have been better if OP had taken video of the app while applying, with login screen with name.

but thats not practical right (hmm if your point is ryt but not a pragmatic approach)
if you receive le or upgrade and keep screenshot confirm from cust care also
then you just apply
we never think of keeping video as a proof

passed in theory but failed in practical 🙁

 

[telescope]

but thats not practical right (hmm if your point is ryt but not a pragmatic approach)
if you receive le or upgrade and keep screenshot confirm from cust care also
then you just apply
we never think of keeping video as a proof

passed in theory but failed in practical 🙁

True, we don't keep screenshot or video as proof. But after what has happened with OP, I'll keep video proof with all the upgrades and applications from now on.

 

[kuchbhikuchbhi is verified member.]

True, we don't keep screenshot or video as proof. But after what has happened with OP, I'll keep video proof with all the upgrades and applications from now on.

from now even i thing i should

 

[sjmajumder]

from now even i thing i should

True, we don't keep screenshot or video as proof. But after what has happened with OP, I'll keep video proof with all the upgrades and applications from now on.

The best way is to get a written confirmation before activating the card.

 

[arjun]

It will be very difficult (when I say very difficult, I am actually being very optimistic) to prove as the photo of the LTF card offer does not show anything related to you, like name or card number for which upgrade offer was given. Additionally ICICI mentioned that they retrieved mobile logs and found paid option was selected. Do you have photo of each screen during application process showing your details plus lifetime free offer? If not, I will suggest you request ICICI to reverse the charges and cancel the card (unless you want to keep the paid card). You won't be able to win RBIO case with only that photo.

If you look at it properly it does have my name mentioned that is the reason I have hidden the name & bro how can it show card number when the card isn't even generated?, in that my name is clearly mentioned and it is showing Nil in joining fee and annual fee which states LTF. If I would have known that I will have such big issue I would have recorded a video aswell.