***** - Victimized from ABSA Abuse of Power
I am in the process of concluding the purchase of a new home through my existing Private Bank. During this process, I was notified that my name had been flagged against the SAFPS ***** database, and that until the matter was resolved, I could not further the application. Now, I have never been involved in any ********** activity - as my profession requires that I maintain a profile of high integrity to remain employed. In addition to this, we have already sold our existing house - and as such leaves us without anywhere to move should the bond not move forward in a timely manner.
To resolve this incident - I first contacted SAFPS, who provided me the background. It seems ABSA had lodged 2 incidents of identity theft in 2013 for ********** account opening attempts (I imagine the perpetrators were using my details). However they have erroneously lodged me as the PERPETRATOR, and NOT the VICTIM. I can unequivocally state - I have never attempted to open an ABSA account, nor do I wish to bank at ABSA. I have not been informed of these incidents apart from a single call received in 2013 in which I confirmed that I had not attempted to open an account. I have to assume that ABSA have concrete evidence of these allegations in order to have lodged ***** against my name, or surely this is simply just an uninformed allegation (for which of course I am investigating legal recourse).
With the contact details provided by SAFPS, I have reached out to ABSA ***** directly, to fast track resolution. I have contacted ABSA now multiple times, and have neither received acknowledgment of the communication, or any feedback as to how we can resolve this issue (and the time for our existing bond application is ticking).
I feel victimised by ABSA through this process, who clearly have either made a mistake – or have simply just made an allegation without any evidence. These kinds of mistakes ruin people’s credibility, and directly impact livelihoods - if the responsibility and power is simply too much for institutions such as ABSA to gather the pre-requisite evidence before making wild accusations, then it should be removed.
I am reaching out to ABSA in an attempt to amicably resolve this with urgency – considering the nature of your false accusation and negligent mistake. Over to you ABSA, will you do the right thing and respond with confirmation of the way forward.