The Indian government has been pushing for the financial empowerment of the country and urging every citizen to open a bank account.
While the literacy rate in India has seen a constant increase, there are millions of illiterate individuals who struggle with opening a bank account or getting a debit card.
The question now is, can illiterate person be issued debit card? Let’s explore this in the article.
Debit Cards for Illiterates: How & Where
Every bank issues criteria to check if the individual is eligible for a debit card. While the standards vary from bank to bank, the most common requirements are the following.
The applicant must be at least 15 years of age
They must have a bank account, savings or current, with the respective bank
The applicant should provide a valid proof of identity or address approved by the government
He/She is required to hold a minimum amount in the bank account to avoid charges
No bank requires the applicant to be educated and well-versed in banking to open an account with the bank and carry a debit card. However, the individual must at least be numerically literate to operate the card.
How Can An Illiterate Person Get A Debit Card?
There are several ways an illiterate person can get a debit card.
Approaching The Bank
Visit your nearest branch to understand how debit cards work. Banks will provide you with the necessary assistance to guide you through the process of acquiring a debit card.
Over The Phone
Sometimes, bank executives contact you over the phone and explain the entire process in your preferred language to ensure you are informed about the procedure. They will apply for the debit card on your behalf and deliver the card to your address.
Online
To apply online for a debit card, you must have a trusted person with you guiding you through the process. They will help you understand what you are signing up for, the terms and conditions, and other important information.
Audio Recordings
To assist those who can’t read or have difficulty reading, banks are now providing audio recordings of the entire process, step-by-step, to ensure a hassle-free process. You can request the bank for assistance in the form of an executive or an audio recording, according to your comfort.
Once you are issued with a debit card, you might face additional struggles to operate it. You can take the help of a family member or friend to educate yourself on the basic terms required for a smooth debit card transaction or to withdraw money from the ATM.
FAQs
The question is not whether a person is literate or illiterate. If a person has a bank account that qualifies him for a debit card, then the bank cannot deny him.
Can we issue a debit card to an illiterate person? ›
Can Illiterate Person Be Issued Debit Card? Yes. There are no rules restricting an illiterate person from getting a debit card in India.
How do illiterate people withdraw money? ›
Where the customer cannot even put his/her thumb impression and also would not be able to be physically present in the bank, a mark can be obtained on the cheque/withdrawal form which should be identified by two independent witnesses, one of who should be a responsible bank official.
How does an illiterate person open a bank account? ›
Illiterate persons are the people who cannot either read or write, A banker can always open an account in the name of the illiterate person. The banker however needs to observe following precautions. As the illiterate person cannot sign, it is necessary for the banker to obtain the thumb impression of such a customer.
Can we give an ATM to a thumb impression? ›
Shreejith Menon, COO- operations customer service & facilities, Fincare Small Finance Bank, says, “A literate person can change their signature to a thumb impression in a bank account.
Can you get a debit card with no name on it? ›
Temporary cards are cards that have not been registered with the card provider (or where registration was not properly completed). Temporary cards do not have the cardholder's name on the front. If you have a new card without your name on it, you must register it on your card provider's website.
Can a bank refuse to give you a debit card? ›
For example, a consumer may be able to open an account but may not be issued a debit card, he says. A second-chance program can be a good option for people who are unable to open a traditional checking account, but it's important to make sure the financial institution is reputable.
Can a checkbook be issued to illiterate? ›
NO. In the interest of protecting the illiterate from being duped by others, bankers do not encourage issue of cheque book to illiterate account. An illiterate account holder has to personally visit the Bank branch for all his financial dealings/transactions to safeguard his money.
What happens to illiterate adults? ›
Other negative consequences of illiteracy. include crime, poor health, low academic performance, and slow economic growth. Estimates show that these negative social and economic outcomes cost the United States $362.49 billion annually. Countries with higher literacy.
Can I withdraw money by thumb impression? ›
For withdrawal of money customer visits the bank branch personally and affixes the thumb impression on the withdrawal slip in presence of official of bank.
Such negative activities that show up on your report and hurt your approval chances include bouncing checks, leaving an overdraft balance unpaid, abusing a debit card or applying for too many accounts in a short period of time, according to credit bureau Experian.
Can illiterate person use net banking? ›
Following types of persons will not be eligible for Internet Banking…. n Illiterate. n Dormant accounts holder. n Inoperative accounts holder.
How do I withdraw money if my account holder is hospitalized? ›
(b) An account holder who is too ill to sign a cheque/cannot be physically present in the bank to withdraw money from his bank account but can put his/her thumb impression on the cheque/withdrawal form.
Can we issue a debit card to a blind person? ›
Yes. In fact, RBI has asked banks to ensure that all ATMs can be used by the disabled.
What is the blind person ATM card? ›
The Union Sparsh Braille Debit Card is a personalized card. This means that the card has the cardholder's name and card number embossed on it. This feature ensures that visually impaired individuals can easily identify their card without any assistance.
Can I open bank account with thumb impression? ›
You may open a bank account with thumb impression. However, debit card isn't issued to an illiterate bank account holder.
Can a blind person be issued ATM card? ›
Banking facilities to the visually challenged - UCBs
It may be noted that banking facilities including cheque book facility / operation of ATM/ locker etc. cannot be denied to the visually challenged as they are legally competent to contract. 2.
Can we give debit card number to anyone? ›
Sharing your CVV and debit card number over the phone is risky, even with legitimate businesses—because there is no way of confirming if the caller representing the company will expose the information provided.
Can a bank issue an unsolicited debit card? ›
1. Compliance. A financial institution may issue an unsolicited access device (such as the combination of a debit card and PIN) if the institution's ATM system has been programmed not to accept the access device until after the consumer requests and the institution validates the device.
