Chandigarh: While deciding two connected complaints, consumer forum directed American Express Banking Corporation and a financial retailer, Centrum Direct Limited, to issue two duplicate traveller cheques worth $ 8,000 in lieu of lost travellers cheques. The corporations were also asked to pay Rs 25,000 each for the inconvenience caused to the complainant.

In one of the complaints, Kuldip Singh, resident of Moga, alleged “In August 2006, I had purchased an American Express Travellers Cheque worth $ 8,000 on account of a visit to Malaysia for attending a wedding. However, I lost my cheque after reaching the destination.” Kuldip alleged that even though he furnished all documents to file for a refund from the bank, fresh cheques were not issued. The complainant alleged that he had to face inconvenience due to unavailability of cash and had to survive on borrowed money in a foreign country.

In their written statement, American Express Banking Corporation and Centrum Direct Limited pleaded that the complainant had made up the whole story. They alleged that Kuldip had not furnished any documents.