ABSA Bank - Poor Customer Service and Incompetence

My experience with ABSA Bank has been a frustrating and disappointing one. I attempted to open a bank account through the ABSA banking app, but was unsuccessful. I then received assistance from Neo Maila over a phone call to open the account, and she sent over my debit card. However, I spent over an hour at the branch to get a PIN for the card so that I could access internet banking.

When I returned home and tried to activate internet banking, I found a different account number on the ABSA mobile banking app. It appeared that the card was registered to a different account than the one Neo Maila opened for me, which was incorrect. I called client care, where Kim Rousseau assisted me, but she said that she could not help me and that I had to go back to the branch where I obtained the PIN.

She told me that she would personally call the branch manager and explain everything when I got there, and we confirmed a time. However, when I went to the bank and called her, her phone was turned off. I sat in the queue for over two hours this time, explained the situation to a lady at the counter, but all she did was call other departments.

I left with a notice that someone is closing the account, and once the account is closed, the card will be automatically linked to the correct, remaining account. However, the account is now closed, and I am locked out of the internet banking and ABSA mobile banking app. I do not have any confidence that going to the bank will resolve anything, and I do not know what to do.

This experience has shown me that ABSA Bank has poor customer service and incompetence in handling customer accounts. I would not recommend this bank to anyone.