Stuck in a scheme

I had a salary account with Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), which was arranged by my employer. This was discontinued almost a year ago and changed to another bank.

On March 10, I received an SMS from DIB saying that I am covered under Job Loss and Personal Accident insurance. This would be free till March 31 and chargeable after that. I never asked for this.

To opt out, I was advised to contact the bank’s customer care centre.

When I tried to chat online, I was advised that it is a good scheme and it would be good for me.

I am lost. What kind of a banking practice is this? I am scared that they will again try to make me accept the scheme if I approach the customer care centre.

Why should I approach them for revoking this declared coverage when I have not asked for it? There may be many such people getting stuck through such tactics.

From Mr Hameed Najumudeen

Sharjah

The management of Dubai Islamic Bank responds: Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has recently launched the Job Loss and Personal Accident cover Takaful product for salaried individuals, which provides a cover against involuntary loss of employment, as well as in the unfortunate event of an accident. Customers are covered for up to Dh3,000 over three months against job loss and Dh25,000 in the case of an accident. A key feature of this product is immediate compensation by the Bank with very easy documentation.

As part of the product launch, DIB offered customers a free trial period till March 31, 2014, after which the Takaful cover will be charged at Dh8 per month. In our communication, customers were given the option to opt out of this cover by calling our Phone Banking service, if they so choose. Our representatives have contacted Mr Najumudeen and processed his request to opt out of the cover.

Mr Najumudden responds: DIB’s representative has contacted me. They have offered assistance to me to opt out of the offer and asked me to close this dormant account. I am thankful to them for addressing this issue. Media is a very powerful and effective tool in helping people. Gulf News just proved this by helping me. Thank you.

(Process initiation: March 19. Response from organisation: March 23. Reader confirmation: March 25.)