- Report the failed transaction to your bank right away and keep the receipt or screenshot.
- Under RBI rules, the bank should reverse the amount within about five working days.
- If it is delayed, you can claim compensation for each day of delay.
What to do immediately
- Do not repeat the transaction several times. Check your balance and SMS first.
- Save proof: keep the ATM slip, the debit SMS and the ATM’s location and time.
- Tell your bank through its app, helpline or branch, giving the date, time, amount and ATM location. Get a complaint number.
- Wait for the reversal. Most reversals happen automatically in a day or two.
The timeline
RBI’s rules on turnaround time say a failed ATM transaction should be reversed within five working days of the date of the transaction. If your bank takes longer, it should pay ₹100 for each day of delay, credited to your account. Confirm the current rule on the RBI website because circulars are updated from time to time.
If the bank does not respond
- Follow up with your complaint number and ask for a written reason.
- Escalate to the bank’s nodal or grievance officer.
- If there is no satisfactory reply in 30 days, you can file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman. See how to file a complaint.
Prevent the problem
Prefer ATMs inside bank branches, watch for card skimmers and avoid cancelling a withdrawal midway. If you suspect fraud rather than a failed withdrawal, block your card immediately.
This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Interest rates, fees and rules change, so confirm current terms with the lender or the regulator before you decide. Examples use illustrative figures. Last reviewed: October 2026.
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