ICICI Bank account , Forgot about it !! how to close it

[Mr India]

back in 2012 i got a salary account made in a job i did for 2 months. i emptied it out to zero and thought they close down automatically if no salary gets deposited in them for 3 months. it seems i was wrong and i got a mail today which had my monthly statement. it says my account is savings type :O , how do i close this account down and will i be charged something to close it as i havent maintained balance in for like 2 years .

 

[dexBG]

That is normal procedure that if you dont get a Salary into a Salary account then it turns into Savings account where all those minimum balance rules apply.

I am pretty sure its more like 6 months before accounts converts to Savings type.

If you haven't maintained the minimum balance then you would have certainly been penalized, check the bank balance in your ICICI statement .. if its in negative then pay that amount and close it.

Closing is pretty simple, just walk into a bank branch with your ID proofs, don't listen to any 'offers' and incentives .. Just be adamant. Pay any negative dues and you're done.

 

[Mr India]

the email statement i got doesnt have negative figures . but im not sure . suppose its negative , can i refuse to pay ? what will they do ?

 

[honest1]

You can't close without paying. And if suppose, you don't close it, it may appear in your credit score.

 

[siril_k]

Savings accounts are not reported in cibil score.

Also if your account is inactive for more than 2 years it will become dormant.

 

[pr0ing]

Act like you don't know anything about their rules and would just like to close the account.
Call up their customer care. Ask about the account closing formalities and go to the branch where you opened the account (any branch will do but the original is preferred) with all the necessary documents.

At the branch check if they are charging you any amount for closing the account. If you are asked to pay say that this was a zero balance salary account and you didn't know and so on. See if they offer to waive off the fees if you continue using the account. This can be offered if the branch is in a phase to increase customers and doesn't want to lose one. Continue using the account normally for 3-6 months and the close it off without paying any charges.

Most of this is based on how you interact with the branch person. As per the rules and documents that you signed during account opening, the bank "can" penalize you for not maintaining the required balance. It is not showing in the statement but they will most probably spot it when you go to close the account. Try to reduce the charges (if any), you cannot refuse to pay and ignore the situation. Get the account closed so that you won't have to worry about it again later.

 

[Mr India]

ok guys , will call up cust care first and see whats to be done. wont pay anything as they never ever smsed /called /mailed me anythng till now.