Consumers are again taken for a ride. If someone is not careful like me, end up landing in a purelly a fraudulent case. This time, it is Citibank and Ascon Group, Indiranagar, Bangalore.
This is how it all began.
In March 2007, I received an unsolicited call from Citibank(Ascon) appreciating me for clearing my loan that I had borrowed from Citibank Shelters four years ago.
Further the caller, who introduced himself as Ajit, offered me another loan. Instantly, I agreed to go for a new loan of Rs. 2, 00, 000/- and the documentation process was initiated.
1. Certain executives from Citibank used to call me for verification purposes and this went on and on for more than 10 days until they were satisfied to disburse the said loan to me.
2. Next, the actual documentation was required to be completed.
3. Before that Ascon guys could collect the documents from me, they confirmed four times that my loan amount is approved and post-collection of documents, the cheque will reach me in 2-3 days.
SO FAR SO GOOD
4. Finally, a person from Citibank, Ascon came to collect necessary documents and along with it four cheques totalling to Rs. 70, 000/- odd in the name of security was also taken.
Nothing looked fishy at that instance.
5. After five days of waiting, there was no call or courier as such from Citibank or Ascon as to the disbursement of loan amount.
6. Repeated calls to Ajit of Ascon was returned as "we are really sorry sir, we are trying our level best to get you loan", now as if I was desperate for the loan.
7. One more call to Ascon and Ajit said the application is rejected: ! remember Ascon confirmed to me the loan was approved by Citibank before collecting my documents and security cheques for Rs. 70, 000/-! If there was no confirmation from Citibank, what on the Earth made Ascon to collect security cheques for such a big amount.
8. I requested Ajit to arrange to return my documents and more importantly the cheques which he personally confirmed it will be done in 48 hours.
9. After 2 days, there was no luck on my documents and cheques.
What is Citibank trying to do here?
What is Ascon up to its activities with Citibank customers?
The level of professionalism displayed in this case falls into third class segment, both for Citibank and Ascon.
10. One more call to Ajit and there was an altercation over the phone. I also warned him about this review in mouthshut.com and it looked like he or his team was not bothered about the reputation. Ajit also misled me by giving false information hiding Ascon’s name and telling me his company’s name is "4FE" or some crap, but it was Ascon Group (Ph: 080-41217627).
11. Now Ajit is avoiding calls and is not available to speak. There are new people picking up calls and I have to narrage them the whole story and wait for their sympathy.
12. Till date my documents nor the cheques are back.
13. Any responsible person in Citibank?
It’s high time CITIBANK wake up and have a tab on the services provided by their agencies over here.
I wish this case does not invite intervention of consumer court or local newspapers.