What to do if you receive bills even after closing your credit card?

Even after closing a credit card, you might still receive messages from the bank regarding bills, outstanding amounts, or late fees. In such a situation, instead of making a payment without verification, you should resolve the issue by filing a formal complaint with the bank.

Nowadays, credit cards have become an integral part of daily life. People use them for a wide range of purposes—from online shopping and hotel payments to essential everyday purchases. To attract customers, banks offer various benefits such as cashback, discounts, and reward points. Consequently, many people end up holding more than one credit card. However, if a card goes unused for some time, they may choose to close it.

If you have stopped using your credit card or have formally requested the bank to close it, yet you continue to receive messages about bills or late fees, do not ignore them. This can happen if the bank’s closure process was not completed, or due to lingering outstanding balances or other applicable charges.

What steps should you take if you receive bills after your credit card has been closed?

Check for closure confirmation: First, verify any emails, SMS messages, or a 'No Dues Certificate' received from the bank regarding the card closure. This will confirm whether your card has been officially closed.
File a complaint with the bank: Contact customer care or visit a bank branch to lodge a formal written complaint. Be sure to keep the complaint reference number and any receipts for your records.
Review the bill: Request a detailed breakdown of the charges added to the bill from the bank. Check whether it includes any old outstanding balances, interest, annual fees, GST, or other charges.
Refer to RBI guidelines: According to RBI regulations, once all outstanding dues are cleared and a closure request is received from the cardholder, the bank is required to close the credit card within 7 working days. Any delay in this regard may result in a penalty of ₹500 per day imposed on the bank.

What should you do if the bank fails to resolve the issue?

If the bank does not resolve your complaint, you may file a complaint with the RBI’s Integrated Ombudsman after waiting for 30 days.
This can be done by submitting an online application via the RBI’s complaint portal: https://cms.rbi.org.in.
Additionally, check your CIBIL report from the credit bureau. If a closed card still appears as active or shows an outstanding balance, lodge a dispute with both the bank and the credit bureau.