Bank Charge Detective
Seen a charge in your passbook or SMS and wondering if it is fair? Pick the charge and the Detective checks it against RBI rules: allowed, allowed only with limits, or not allowed. If it is wrong, get a ready refund request in one tap.
Your refund request
Give it at your branch and keep the acknowledgement, or email it from your registered email ID. No reply in 30 days? Complain free at cms.rbi.org.in.
How to read the verdict
- 🚫 Not allowed: RBI rules say the bank should not charge this. Ask for a refund.
- ⚠️ Allowed only with limits: the bank can charge it only in some situations, or up to a limit. Check whether those conditions were followed.
- ✅ Allowed: the bank can charge it, as per its published schedule of charges.
Frequently asked questions
Can my bank charge me for not keeping minimum balance?
Only with conditions. The bank must first notify you of the shortfall and give you at least one month to restore the balance. The penalty must be proportionate to the shortfall, and it can never make your balance negative. Basic Savings (BSBD / Jan Dhan) accounts and inoperative accounts cannot be charged at all.
Can a bank charge for closing a home loan early?
Not for floating-rate loans taken by individuals for non-business purposes. From 1 January 2026 this also covers floating-rate business loans to individuals and micro and small enterprises. Fixed-rate loans can carry a pre-payment charge as per the bank's disclosed policy.
How many free ATM transactions do I get?
Five a month at your own bank's ATMs. At other banks' ATMs, three a month in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and five elsewhere. After that, banks can charge up to ₹23 per transaction (plus GST). Failed transactions are not counted.
A wrong charge was debited. How do I get it back?
Write to your branch asking for reversal, quoting the RBI rule (the Detective writes this letter for you). If the bank does not resolve it within 30 days, file a free complaint with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in or call 14448.
Where can I see my bank's exact charges?
Every bank publishes a "Schedule of Charges" or "Service Charges" page on its website, and must give at least 30 days' notice before changing charges. The Detective tells you whether a type of charge is allowed; the schedule tells you the exact amount.
Related: Know what your bank owes you · Bank Letter Writer · Scam Message Checker
Built by Sathikbasha, a banking professional from Pondicherry, India. Results are estimates for guidance only; your bank's documents are the final reference. Views expressed on this website are personal and do not represent any employer or institution. Content is for general awareness and education only and is not financial or investment advice.