CIMB Counter-Sues 12 Customers For Duplicate Credit Errors, Wants RM1.39 Million
CIMB said the accounts holders should have informed them when the money was mistakenly credited into their account.
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CIMB has filed a counter-suit against 12 parties who sued the bank for what it described as a “statement of claim” due to processing errors that caused their accounts to be frozen and in debt.
In a suit filed in court on 30 March, the bank also wanted an order issued for all 12 people to repay a total of RM1.39 million.
The amount was for the money inadvertently credited into their accounts, as well as additional interest.
No Technology Is Perfect
The problem started when there were processing errors by remittance services, said CIMB, resulted in funds transfers made to customers being credited twice.
In January, a “postponement of operations” had been made on the affected accounts.
After much uproar including threats of boycott by consumers, it was later withdrawn on 13 February. However, it did not specify how many accounts were affected.
In response, the bank accounts were frozen as the bank seeks to recover the duplicate amount.
READ MORE: 100 Bank Customers Demand That Their Accounts Be Unfrozen
Fighting Back
However, on 28 Feb, 12 affected account holders filed a suit against the bank.
The customers reasoned that they should not be held responsible for what they see as the bank’s mistake.
News portal FMT cited CIMB as saying in a statement of defense that it did not breach any contract with its account holders.
The bank said it has the right to debit or withhold any account at their discretion-as it was part of the terms and conditions agreed by the customer.
In accordance with the stipulated contract, the bank is allowed to recover duplicated money legally.
CIMB said as a result of the duplicate credit, the account holders had obtained a “statement of claim” at the bank’s expense.
The bank added that the 12 plaintiffs should have informed the bank when additional duplicate funds were transferred into their accounts.
Plaintiffs receive funds in their respective accounts and or make withdrawals of funds in excess of the amount of duplicate credit received by each plaintiff. Plaintiff also received, enjoyed and took advantage through duplicate credits that were mistakenly credited into plaintiff’s account due to unintentional MoneySend transfer processing errors as per the appeal
CIMB’ defence statement in counter-suing the its customers.
Meanwhile, Former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim said Bank Negara Malaysia should step in to assist the affected account holders who are being counter-sued.
The lawyer said the individuals would be at a disadvantage given the resources at the disposal of the bank.
Has CIMB tried to meet up with the customers to resolve this? No.
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) April 3, 2022
Or is it okay for @CIMBMalaysia to simply unilaterally freeze the accounts and deduct the excess?
(thread) 🧵@BNM_official must try to be helpful in helping thousands of @CIMBMalaysia customers who are now being sued by the billion dollar bank. These customers somehow received extra payments from CIMB, due to an error in their own remittance system.
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) April 3, 2022
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