Hi
I am a resident for Bangalore. We also happen to be long-time customers of BSNL. Today (Saturday, 02-07), we got a call on our BSNL landline from a person by the name Shruthi (Mob no. 7204215437) claiming to be from BAJAJ CAPITAL. She said our number had been selected for a special offer that is in tie up with BSNL - a free lifetime Insurance cover of Rs. 1 lac from BAJAJ CAPITAL. She further told that we would get this absolutely free and we would not have to pay any premium or EMI or any amount whatsoever. We were just required to come in to their office with our Election ID proof and collect our original policy document from them.
The address given was:
BAJAJ CAPITAL,
78/2, 3rd Cross,
Near Ballard Residency,
Mayo Hall Stop,
Residency Road,
Bangalore.
She asked us to come in before 3pm as it was a half day. A free insurance cover of 1 lac? For Lifetime? With absolutely no payment or premiums? Where does the amount come from then? Not unless someone is sponsoring this!
I then proceeded to check the website of BAJAJ CAPITAL. There was no such offer listed. Then I checked BSNL website. Nothing there either. Weird! I then contacted the toll-free customer care number of BAJAJ CAPITAL (180030006000). The agent at the other end wasn't aware of such an offer either. I was advised to contact the registered office in my city. I then contacted the registered associate advisors network office for BAJAJ CAPITAL on M.G.Road (080-25594999). I told the agent there the reason for my call, and other details such as name, phone no. and address given by the caller. She immediately told me that the company claiming to be BAJAJ CAPITAL on Residency road was a 'BAJAJ CAPITAL COMPANY Ltd' and was in no way part of the 'BAJAJ CAPITAL' group and that I should investigate the details properly before any investment as BAJAJ CAPITAL would not be held responsible. I then contacted 'Just Dial'. They had BAJAJ CAPITAL registered on MG Road, a BAJAJ ALLIANZ elsewhere, a BAJAJ FINANCE Lending service elsewhere but no BAJAJ CAPITAL on Residency road.
So, this fairly convinced me that this is a fake company abusing the 'BAJAJ CAPITAL' name.
I then contacted the mobile no. given asking for Shruthi pretending to query for further details.
It was another lady who then called for Shruthi and then finally I got her on the line. I asked her to give me the details once again as she had spoken to my dad earlier and I would like to know the details as he wasn't clear. She told me the same story again that out BSNL number had been hand picked for this offer. Yes this was a lifetime general insurance cover for a sum of Rs. 1 lac, absolutely free. I asked her to explain how this works. She said she will get another person to call me back and explain the details. I got a call back about 10 mins later. This time the call was from a Sandhya (918064525900), who claimed to be a senior person and frankly, was quite rude in her manner. When I asked her to explain how this policy works, she just said that the details as explained by Shruthi are correct. So I said, 'we just need to come in there with our ID-Address proof and no deposits required, you guys would register us? ' And she said 'No, there is no registration and all. Everything is already done. You just need to come to collect the original document'. That was funny. No registration! No premium! Just show your ID and Address proof and there you go.. your lifetime insurance cover of 1lac from Bajaj Capital! When did life become so easy??
If this was the case and considering the plethora of customers with BSNL, there would be a literal stampede at that claimed office, BAJAJ CAPITAL would be making headlines big time and we would be hearing about this in every newspaper, news channel and surely every customer care agent of both BSNL and BAJAJ CAPITAL would be glad to confirm this info. But No. No one was even aware of anything like this.
When I pointed out to this Sandhya that I had checked with the registered office of BAJAJ CAPITAL in MG Road and told her about was advised to me, she quickly became defensive claiming that that agent had given wrong info and that they are very much part of the BAJAJ CAPITAL group and that she has been with the company for 3 years now as if that should show the credibility of her words or that company. When I asked if there was a still more senior person, say, a manager or someone, I was told that she happened to the most senior point of contact there. I lost it there. I couldn't take any more of her bull s*** or her crappy attitude. I told her to go on with her fake calls elsewhere and not to disturb me ever again.
But certain things puzzle me. When I called the MG Road office of BAJAJ CAPITAL and enquired about this company, the moment I told them about residency road office, the agent told me it's in no way related to the BAJAJ CAPITAL Group. So they were aware of the existence of such a company, so why no action taken about it? Does BAJAJ CAPITAL know that this fraudulent group goes about calling people introducing themselves as calling from BAJAJ CAPITAL and not revealing their real identity. The BAJAJ CAPITAL Group is quite well-known and most people recognize that name immediately. And that automatically makes people believe in this incredulous offer just because it's BAJAJ CAPITAL! This not only dupes people but also spoils the name of BAJAJ CAPITAL.
And another, is there any entity that can be contacted by the public to lodge a complaint about such fake companies? Some organization, a number or an email id who can take in this complaint and take some action?
Well, I have done whatever little I can to stop other people from getting duped. But will I get answers to my questions or will this blog really have any impact? That's a million dollar question!
Good day guys. Try mailing this around to your contacts. May be that can have some impact!!
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