Elderly Victim Wins Case Against Bank for ATM Fraud

The State Consumer Commission ordered Bank of India to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation to a senior citizen for service deficiencies related to unauthorized ATM transactions. It emphasized heightened care for elderly customers, citing a 65-year-old woman's experience with unauthorized withdrawals despite the bank’s defense of procedural compliance.

In a landmark ruling, the State Consumer Commission has directed Bank of India to provide Rs 5 lakh in compensation to a senior citizen for deficiencies in service linked to unauthorized ATM transactions. The commission stressed the necessity of heightened care for elderly customers, particularly those with limited literacy.

The case involved a 65-year-old woman whose account suffered unauthorized withdrawals amounting to Rs 12,47,402, linked to purchases like gold and electronics. Despite the bank's insistence that proper protocol was followed and the blame lay with criminal actions of a third party, the commission held the bank accountable for failing to implement basic security measures.

The commission highlighted the importance of the bank's responsibility in confirming customer identity on ATM cards. Failure to comply with these required standards resulted in the severe mental and financial distress for the complainant, ultimately leading to the hefty compensation order.

(With inputs from agencies.)