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SBI Start Charging Rs15 per Quarter for SMS Alerts

SBI accountholders having SMS alert facility enabled might have observed it that the Bank has debited Rs 15 from the account at the end of June 2013. Recently telecom operators have increased bulk SMS sending charges by nearly 10 times, so banks have no alternative but to pass on the increased costs to the customers i.e. accountholders. Now SBI will charge for sending SMS on customers’ mobile phone.

Earlier SMS Alert Facility was Free for SBI Customers

In private sector banks SMS Alert facility is chargeable for a long time but for State Bank of India customers it was free. But increased cost for bulk SMS (from 2-3 paise to 20-25 paise per SMS) forced SBI to make SMS alert facility chargeable. So SBI has decided to debit the accounts by Rs 15 (inclusive of service tax) per quarter for SMS alert facility from the end of Jun 2013 quarter. Customer can see Rs 15 deduction from A/c.

Customers have Now Option to Exit from SMS Alert Facility

sbi sms alert charge rs 15
SBI SMS Alert Service
In private sector banks SMS Alert facility is chargeable for a long time but for State Bank of India customers it was free. But increased cost for bulk SMS (from 2-3 paise to 20-25 paise per SMS) forced SBI to make SMS alert facility chargeable. So SBI has decided to debit the accounts by Rs 15 (inclusive of service tax) per quarter for SMS alert facility from the end of Jun 2013 quarter.

Should State Bank Accountholders
Exit from SMS Alert Facility?

We think, No. SBI accountholders should not withdraw the facility of SMS service provided by the Bank as this service plays an important role in tracking credit and debit transactions. Incidents of bank frauds are increasing day by day but such incidents could be prevented if SMS facility would be enabled for the customers. So that proper steps could be taken in such a situation. Customers can report the Bank immediately to stop further such transactions if he/she assumes it that fraudulent transaction has been made for the account. If you want to discontinue from the SMS service you could save Rs 90 per year but you will not be notified for the transactions made in your SBI account. So the choice is yours.
So if you see Rs 15 deduction from SBI account with narration “debit service charges for Jun 2013” it means that SMS Alert facility is enabled for your account. Share your views/comments regarding this information through the comments form below:

3 comments:

  1. Sabir12:19 PM


    Yes!

    I too noticed it that Rs 15 is debited from my SBI A/c on 28-Jun-2013. Then I checked the statement and found it that "DEBIT-SERVICE.CHARGES.FOR.JUN.2013" was written in the statement.
    Now I understood the reason that due to SMS Alert Service Rs15 was deducted.

    Thanks for info.

    ReplyDelete
  2. mukesh11:50 AM

    It means Rs 60 will be taken by SBI for providing SMS Alert to accountholders.

    ReplyDelete
  3. sbi user12:00 PM

    I see this message in my SBI Online Banking
    After Logging to my A/c

    "With effect from quarter ending June 2013, SMS charges of Rs.15/- (inclusive of Service Tax) per quarter will be recovered."

    ReplyDelete