Absa, take some accountability

hellopeter In January/February this year I went to Absa Branch in Makhado Louis Trichardt to update my personal details including my cellphone number and ensure it's changed on all Absa platforms I use as well as my surname. In addition I also asked that my Absa Rewards enrollment be cancelled. After being moved around from pillar to post I thought everything was done. I am not based in South Africa and therefore I rarely get the opportunity to make such changes. When I returned to the UAE thinking everything was now in order, lo and behold, I cannot do online transactions because my RVNs and all related sms verifications are not coming through because they did not link it to my online banking. The number I use for online transactions is a South African number which is always on roaming. I then called the Absa call centre for general inquiries, explained my long sad tale of how I cannot make transactions to family at home and I got referred to online banking call centre (Kamogelo). I explained again to that agent the challenge I'm facing especially being in the diaspora, not being able to transact and the fear that my banking details are going to who knows who. He then told me I have no choice but to either fly in and go to a branch (for a cellphone number they didn't update and is already in the system) or transfer power of attorney to someone who can go to a branch. I'm not sure how in this world of financial crime, ***** and cyber attacks I am supposed to sleep at night with someone else having access to my bank account info and all because I transferred power of attorney. I remained calm, and simply called the Louis Trichardt Absa branch on Krogh street, the lady who answered the phone kept interjecting and hardly gave me room to explain my challenge. When I finally got a word in she then said she'd transfer me to a Musa who should be able to help. I calmly explained my situation to Musa, Musa listened carefully and once I finished narrating my story Musa then told me she can't help me because she has a client who is there in person who she needs to help. I explained to Musa that I am also a client, Musa ignored me and someone else called Doreen was now asked to assist me. Once again I repeated my long story to Doreen surprisingly in a very calm manner for someone who was told that there are other clients being helped. Doreen then passed the buck back to me and said I probably did not say I use online banking... I am not sure what banking platforms Absa is using but I'd suggest you get a technology overhaul if I have to specify that I have a bank account, no personal loan, I use online banking, telephone banking, I once had a credit card and vehicle loan which are now paid up every time I speak to an individual. For all those interested at Absa though Doreen included, I did specify that I use online banking and it's basically my main platform of interacting. Now, it would be great if somebody at Absa fixed my issue instead of passing the buck or if not you can just buy me a whole plane ticket and one nights stay hotel accomodation and meals so that I go to the branch and tell them again to please link my updated cellphone number to my online banking platforms. I have now wasted hundreds of dirhams calling Absa call centres and branches to fix this. By the way they did not cancel the Absa rewards, I still get R 11 deducted from my account every month.