If you’ve ever tried to withdraw money from an ATM and the transaction failed but your account got debited anyway — you’re not alone. Such situations are stressful, especially when the funds are urgently needed. Similarly, sending money to the wrong account due to a mistake in UPI or net banking can also create panic. Thankfully, banks and regulatory authorities like the RBI have mechanisms to help you file an ATM transaction failed complaint or correct a mistaken payment.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to raise complaints for failed ATM transactions, recover funds from mistaken payments, and share some tips to avoid such issues in the future.
What Is an ATM Transaction Failure?
ATM transaction failure typically happens when:
- You try to withdraw cash but don’t receive any money.
- The transaction is declined, but the amount is still deducted from your account.
- You experience a network error mid-transaction, and the result is unclear.
This is often due to server downtime, ATM cash exhaustion, poor connectivity, or hardware malfunctions.
What Should You Do First?
If the ATM transaction fails but the amount is debited:
- Do not panic. In most cases, banks auto-reverse the deducted amount within 5–7 working days.
- Collect the transaction slip (if available) or note down the date, time, location, and transaction amount.
- Check your SMS/email alerts for transaction reference numbers.
- Wait 24 hours to see if the amount is credited automatically.
If you still haven’t received the money back, proceed to file a complaint.
How to File an ATM Transaction Failed Complaint
You can report the failed ATM transaction through:
1. Bank Customer Care
Call your bank’s toll-free number or customer care support. Provide the following:
- ATM ID or location
- Date and time of transaction
- Last 4 digits of your debit card
- Reference number (if any)
2. Online Grievance Portals
Most banks have dedicated online portals or mobile apps where you can raise complaints and track status.
3. Written Complaint at Branch
Visit your bank branch and submit a written complaint. Ask for an acknowledgment with a complaint number.
4. RBI CMS Portal
If your bank does not resolve your issue within 7 working days, escalate it to the RBI’s Complaint Management System (CMS) at: https://cms.rbi.org.in/
Mistake Payment? Here’s What to Do
Sending money to the wrong account is a common but serious error. It’s known as a Mistake payment, especially if the funds are transferred via UPI or NEFT/IMPS.
Steps to Recover Money from Mistake Payment:
- Contact Your Bank Immediately
- Provide details like UTR number, time of transaction, amount, and the wrong account number.
- Request Reversal
- If the wrong recipient account is active in the same bank, your bank may try to reverse the amount after obtaining consent from the receiver.
- File a Complaint
- Use your bank’s complaint section on the website/app or visit the branch.
- Police Involvement
- If the other party refuses to return the money, you can file a complaint with the cyber cell or local police, especially if the transaction involved fraud or impersonation.
RBI Guidelines for Refund Timelines
As per RBI guidelines:
- Failed ATM transactions must be reversed within 5 working days.
- Delay beyond that attracts a compensation of ₹100 per day.
Always keep your complaint reference number and follow up regularly.
Tips to Avoid Transaction Errors
- Double-check account numbers and UPI IDs before sending money.
- Avoid making large payments during peak network hours.
- Use secure and verified ATMs.
- Maintain updated contact details with your bank for real-time alerts.
Final Thoughts
Facing an ATM failure or a mistaken payment can be upsetting, but with the right steps and timely action, most issues are resolvable. Banks and the RBI have streamlined procedures to protect consumer interests.
Whether you’re dealing with a mistake payment or trying to file an ATM transaction failed complaint, keep calm, collect evidence, and raise the issue through the proper channel. Your money is not lost — it just needs to be redirected.