Customers having multiple credit cards will now not be allowed the luxury of using either in case they default on making payments for even one, thanks to stringent measures being adopted by the banks.

As per the prevalent practice, banks are blocking only that card on which there is a payment default and the other cards held by the customer are not touched. However, the banks have now revised their credit card terms and conditions, pursuant to which all the cards would be blocked if there is a payment default on even one.

The country's largest private sector lender, ICICI Bank, has already informed its customers about the change, coming into effect from October 5, while other banks will soon follow the suit.

In their constant pursuit of recovering dues from credit card customers, banks recently also empowered themselves with a tool that allows them to ask employers to deduct the outstanding amount from the salary.

Employees who may have defaulted on payment, however, cannot object to this deduction of dues at source, according to the new clause introduced in the 'terms and conditions' adopted by many of the banks.

The amended 'terms and conditions' say that "no law or contract" governing either the card holder or employers prevents the bank from seeking such deduction and subsequent payment by the employer to the bank.

However, the new clause is applicable only for customers who default on their credit card payments. Prior notice has already been sent to all out customers to make them aware of this clause.

"Only the defaulters in repayment need to be concerned and it is not of concern to regular customers,"