HDFC Ergo Cashback Controversy – India’s Fitness Initiative Under Fire

HDFC Ergo’s “India Gets Moving” campaign, introduced in partnership with Zopper, is facing criticism as numerous participants assert that their cashback claims have been denied unfairly. This campaign promised users a full cashback on the purchase of an Apple Watch if they achieved the specified step count, but has now become a cause of dissatisfaction for numerous customers.

The issue came to light when participants, who met their step count targets, reported that their cashback claims were disapproved. HDFC Ergo cited manipulation of step counts as a justification for the denials. Nevertheless, a number of participants maintain that they accurately logged their activities and adhered to all provided guidelines, prompting questions about the program’s legitimacy.

Details of the Fitness Campaign

Launched in November 2024, this fitness-oriented initiative encouraged individuals to embrace an active lifestyle with the incentive of receiving full cashback on an Apple Watch purchase. To be eligible, participants were required to:

• Walk 15,000 steps daily
• Track their activities using the Apple Watch
• Accumulate points over a set period
• Submit a claim upon the successful completion of the steps

This program was established to foster health and wellness while motivating users to stay engaged with their fitness aspirations.

Social Media Backlash

Many users have taken to social media platforms to voice their frustrations about claim rejections, which occurred despite fulfilling the required step count without receiving clear explanations.

HDFC Ergo’s Responses

In response, HDFC Ergo claimed to have identified “unusual and suspicious data” and alleged that some participants had engaged in manipulative practices by:

• Giving their Apple Watch to another person
• Utilising external devices to fabricate step counts

However, participants impacted by these decisions argue that they have followed all necessary protocols, used GPS tracking, and submitted extra health documentation, yet still faced claim denials.

Insurance Policy Cancellations and Wider Concerns

Further compounding issues, some users reported that HDFC Ergo revoked their insurance policies, raising serious doubts about the trustworthiness of the campaign.

HDFC Ergo’s Statement

HDFC Ergo released a statement to Moneycontrol, asserting, “In the case of certain individuals, we encountered unusual and suspicious data. Following a thorough investigation, it was determined that some participants had manipulated data, violating the programme’s terms. Consequently, we had to cancel the policies of specific individuals. However, claims for participants without data manipulation have been duly honored.”

Sharing Personal Experiences

One participant articulated his discontent with the HDFC Ergo campaign, stating, “On December 1, 2024, I purchased an Apple Watch, trusting in HDFC Ergo’s Stay Fit To Benefit initiative. Walking daily, earning points, and getting cashback seemed straightforward. However, it has turned out to be a meticulously orchestrated scam.”

Advice for Consumers

To avoid similar scenarios in future campaigns, consumers should consider the following recommendations:

• Read the fine print: Review the terms and conditions thoroughly before joining cashback or rewards programs.
• Research company reputation: Investigate prior promotional campaigns and customer feedback to analyse the dependability of a company.
• Document progress: Keep careful records of activities, including screenshots, GPS logs, and detailed step count history for potential disputes.
• Be cautious with significant purchases: Refrain from making expensive purchases based solely on cashback propositions, as terms might change unexpectedly.