As per the circular issued, an individual filing a claim can do it either by visiting the home post office branch or via email, speed post or registered post
New Delhi: In a circular, issued by the Department of Posts, it spelt out a standard operating procedure (SOP) to handle claim cases in the event of fraud and losses.
As per the circular issued, an individual filing a claim can do it either by visiting the home post office branch or via email, speed post or registered post.
Documents required
Claim form: A standardised claim application form has been issued by the Department of Posts. It is of the utmost importance for the claimant to duly fill out the detailed claim form and attach it with other important documents.
Photo ID and address proof: An individual must have a valid Photo ID and address proof to file a claim. You will be required to submit the self-attested photocopies of a photo ID and address proof. One can carry a PAN, Aadhar, passport, Voter ID or any other valid proof.
Passbook/Certificate/Deposit Receipt: According to the requirement as per the case, an individual will also be required to submit the self-attested copy of the passbook/certificate/deposit receipt etc.
In the case of non-physical claims, you must mention your email ID, mobile number and address correctly. It will help the post office branch to contact you for important information and verification of original documents.
Steps to filing a claim in case of fraud and loss:
The Department of Posts has not mentioned any time limit in the circular to report a case of fraud in post office schemes. Therefore, a claimant can file a claim according to his/her convenience. The circular also specifies that all possible help should be rendered to the claimant at every stage; from filling up the form, obtaining the statement to the stage of making payment.
Step 1: A claimant should begin with choosing a mode to file a claim. An individual can file a claim either by visiting the home post office branch or via email, speed post, or even registered post.
Step 2: A standardised claim application form has been issued by the Department of Posts. The claimant can get access to the form from the official site and use the form to file a claim related to fraud/misappropriation of money in post office savings bank accounts, cash certificates such as Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), National Savings Certificate (NSC), money orders/electronic money orders (EMO) etc.
Step 3: It is important for the claimant to justify the claim made in the form. As per the case, the claimant must provide proofs to justify his claim.
Step 4: Along with the duly filled form, a claimant is required to submit the self-attested photocopies of a photo ID and address proof. One can carry a PAN, Aadhar, passport, Voter ID or any other valid proof.
Step 5: Along with these documents, as per the nature of your claim, you will be further required to attach the self-attested copies of your passbook, deposit receipt etc.
Step 6: At the time of final settlement, the claimant must ensure to ask for a duplicate copy of the original documents which will be issued free of cost. If not, the claimant must acquire proper receipt from the post office for the submission of original documents.
Step 7: For the non-physical claims or claim submitted via e-mail, an acknowledgment will be sent by the official/officer authorized for the purpose. The claimant is required to keep the acknowledgment for further reference and clarification.
Processing of the claim
After the document verification, the claim form is accepted by the officer following which the post office branch will process your claim within seven days from acceptance. Further, the form is submitted to the Divisional officer within 10 working days of acceptance of the form.
After investigation and satisfactory verification, a unique registration number is issued to the claim case for monitoring purposes which is also provided to the claimant. The date when the registration number is issued is considered as the registration date and also treated as the date of deposit of claim.
Claim sanction
The claim will be sanctioned within 25 days from the date of registration (depending on the financial powers) and the amount of the claim will be credited/restored in the account within 30 days from the registration date.
The claimant will be required to submit the relevant original passbook/ certificate to make payment. However, the circular states that physical presence must not be enforced.
In fraud cases where a forensic examination is required, the above process must be completed within 90 days from the date of registration
