DEBIT ORDER DISPUTE - Unauthorized debit by Absa Bank

Good day, To whom it may concern, My cheque account has been journaled with an amount of R2971.00 and this journal / debit order is an unauthorized debit as I have not given Absa permission to debit my account for this amount. What I have gathered from speaking to multiple Absa call centre agents is that the amount is debited because I have had an amount outstanding on my previous absa cheque account and there is no arrangement for this account so how can Absa just debit my account? From what i have been told, the account is in arrears and is dormant therefore me needing to open a new cheque account with absa. I have not advised to date of this outstanding account, I have not received any communication via email, telephone or sms that there was an amount outstanding and that the outstanding amount needs to be settled. I have also been informed that the outstanding account has been handed over to a lawyer for collection and to this day I have not been contacted by Absa or the lawyer in order to make a arrangement to settle the outstanding amount but yet Absa debit my account without my permission for an account that has been handed over for collection.

I have also been told by Call centre agent Tess Kekana that I was not contacted for the outstanding account because the account had a negative balance and only once funds were placed into this account again I will be contacted – How is this procedure legal or true?

As a customer I feel betrayed and that I cannot trust my own bank of which is disappointing as I thought Absa thrived on customer service and how can my own bank take money from my account without my permission and if this procedure is true and legal – this means that your bank to whom your trust my money with can access your funds and remove funds without your permission.

Honestly ABSA has just lost another customer as after I have settled this case I will moving my banking to another bank.

Please can this amount be reversed immediately and please can a collection agent contact me to confirm as to what amounts are outstanding and for what account in order for me to make an arrange to have these amounts settled.

Your assistance in this regard will be much appreciated.