Benefits seized without consent

Bank did not return reader’s salary and endof-service benefits after a change of job

I have a personal loan with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), where I have a salary transfer account from my previous company, and I have been paying the instalments every month.

I changed my job in August 2017. Since then, I have been receiving a regular salary, which is higher than my previous salary. My final month’s salary and end of service benefit amount from my previous company were credited to my account in August 2017. The bank called me, asking me to submit my documents in order for them to release my salary and end-of-service benefits.

Hence, all the documents, which included a copy of my passport, new visa, Emirates ID, labour contract, salary certificate and salary transfer certificate were submitted on September 12, 2017. I submitted the same all over again along with my salary transfer letter on September 28, 2017.

The bank representative told me they would take all my benefits, because the new company was not listed by their bank. I replied to them asking why they need to take my salary and other benefits, because I still used the account to transfer my salary every month? I complained to the customer service representatives, but there has been no action taken on this. They took one-and-a-half month’s salary to deduct my dues, along with my end-of-service benefits (last month’s salary, bonus, ticket and gratuity).

‘Unfair’ move

I inquired about this matter and the bank representative informed me that it was adjusted against the loan principal amount. The reason is apparently because the gratuity is not mine, since I took a loan from the bank, and I have no right to it. I requested them to reimburse the end-of-service benefit amount. I have already sent a breakdown of my endof-service benefit to the bank representative, but he hasn’t yet reverted to me.

A FAB representative later called to tell me that only half of last month’s salary from my previous company would be reimbursed, and they would not refund the other benefits, despite the fact that I have never defaulted in any of my payments, and have submitted all my documents to them. This is a huge amount and it is extremely unfair for a bank to treat its customers like this! I am facing financial problems now because of this issue. How can I manage my family expenses because of this matter?

Does the bank have the right to adjust the settlement cash on my loan without my consent? I don’t know which door to knock on. Gulf News is my only hope. From Mr Joel N. Flores Dubai

The management of FAB responds:

FAB supports the growth ambitions of its stakeholders and goes beyond financial products and services, and as such, we are grateful for all customer feedback as we strive to consistently deliver the highest standards of service. The bank has been in contact with Mr Flores, and explained that the customer’s end-of-servicebenefits were used to settle his loan and other liabilities.

Mr Flores responds:

This you.

(Process initiation: November 3, 2017. Response from organisation: December 5, 2017. Process completion: January 13, 2018.) issue is resolved. Thank

Editor’s note: Do you have similar issues that you would like to raise with us? You can write to us at readers@gulfnews.com