ABSA Solicits Business, But Security Chases Customers Off-Site

I've had two separate incidents from ABSA over the past week that have left such a sour taste in my mouth, that I have no other option but to honestly consider moving my business elsewhere.

Incident 1: Friday, 25 October 2024 No less than 4 sales calls from ABSA ***. Truecaller says Rosebank, which I've never visited, so I'm super annoyed that an unauthorized branch is accessing my details. Calls: 10:27 , 10:28 , 10: 29 , 10:45 (Don't you realize people work??)

By call 4, I answer, frustrated by your obvious sales call. I ask the sales person what they want. She identifies herself being from ABSA Bryanston (another ABSA I've NEVER been to. Why are you pulling my PII and dividing it amongst your sales staff like candy??) Like a *****ster in training, with no security checks, they start discussing how they want to upgrade "Account X". I ask her who gave her authorization to phone me (I asked to be excluded from telephone marketing AND I've never been to the Bryanston branch) and who gave her permission to access my private details (since I haven't processed a contact me request, AND have never done business with ABSA Bryanston). Her answer to this was an irritating insistent "You're on my list to call". To call for what, ABSA? With the amount of ***** and **** calls going on at the moment, I am very uncomfortable with detail your sales staff have access to before security checks. This has been made evident on more than one occasion, and if they can access this info, who else can? What are you doing about this?

Incident 2: 30 October 2024

While I might have been tempted to overlook the phone incident, what your security guard did at Mall of Africa today, was unacceptable by any and all standards. I went to collect my replacement card today. The friendly lady behind the counter gave me further instructions as to double checking and changing my card pin if I need to. My partner had come with me, and was waiting for me to restart my phone as I had trouble accessing my ABSA app. He sat down in one of the chairs (in an completely empty area) while I stood next to him with a VERY OBVIOUSLY ABSA branded envelope and card in my hand. The security guard came over and asked him in an incredibly rude manner what he was doing there, and he said "Hi, I'm just waiting for her to finish". Your security looked at me, waiting for an explanation, and I confirmed what I was there for, and what I needed to finish. He told my partner that "you're not allowed to sit here, you need to get up and leave". I thought I heard incorrectly, looked at him, and he barked at me to go about my business quickly, while repeating to my partner that "non-customers aren't allowed in ABSA".

My partner was with a customer. He was with me. Your security guard didn't just disrespect me, he disrespected my partner. Your HNWI team have been trying to convert him over to ABSA for at least two years (and he was considering it), but apparently your security guard at Mall of Africa has deemed him unfit to even sit in your chairs to wait for me - a customer - let alone become one. Good to know.

PS: Your ATMs are in high traffic areas where crimes are committed. It's natural for a person to come into the safety of the bank to ensure they're fully focused while accessing your app prior to going to the ATM. Most ******ies at ATMs are opportunistic crimes due to people not paying attention. I'm just as appalled to know that your security was more obsessed that I should conduct my business quickly than with my safety.