Worse than Home Affairs a NEW LOW for ABSA

On 18 April, I was ****** and my handbag ******. Unfortunately my wallet and passport were both taken along with my ID and several other things. 8 days later I was suppose to leave for a trip to Turkey.

On the eve of the ******* - I had to ask my boyfriend to call and cancel my cards - as you cannot do it online. Sadly - I saw that my Debit Card was overdrawn (over the limit) by R5000. Best Bit ABSA said NO to the refund. But well write that review separately.

This one is to showcase that I received my PASSPORT from HOME AFFAIRS not one day, not two day, not 3 days but TWO WEEKS - before ABSA was able to supply me with a new credit card.

I app**** for my passport on 19 April and received it on 23 April!! Well done HOME AFFAIRS!!! I requested a new credit card on 19 April and received it on 7 MAY!!!

Let me tell you a bit about the experience.... I called to request a new card, spoke to the consultant, gave the delivery address and was told the card will be with me in 5 working days.

On 26 April, I called again to ascertain where my card is at (most people know if you have bookings paid by a card and you don't have a replacement to update you lose your bookings - so thank you for that ABSA as that is exactly what happened)

On 26 April - I went from speaking to a consultant to on hold to suddenly being at collections. The lady indicated that my account must be in arrears and therefore a new card has not been issued. I went pale as I was told that there was an attempt to draw 3K on 18 April but it was declined. Which it should have been as there were not sufficient funds (same as my Debit card but they managed to overdraw that one).... and ABSA refuses to give my money back.......??

She checked on the system and no my Credit Card was not in arrears. She then wanted to transfer me. I refused as I could not understand how the previous gentleman who said he was tracing where it was and now I was at a different department. Eventually I got her manager on the line and after she checked on the system she said that NO N EW credit card was being issued. I contacted my "PERSONAL BANKER" since I told him of the incident there was no assistance to get a new card, help with the ***** case. But now being angry - he finally did something and next thing I was told my credit card will be at Kenilworth Centre in 3 -5 days. For the second time. Needless to say it was 26 April, 27 April was a public holiday and my flight to Turkey was on 28 April. While in Turkey - I got a message to say that my card is being dispatched to cradle-stone mall. Now not living in JHB and being the 5th incident in a comedy of errors - I again had to waste my time and mail my "PERSONAL" banker that the card is on route to the incorrect place.

I had reservations cancelled due to pre-payments not working, credit card holds being declined and in all this ABSA did absolutely nothing!!! On 7 May - my new credit card arrived in Cape Town!!

By this time, I have collected my new passport, been to Turkey, had to message ABSA about their mistakes from overseas, had to go through hell because they cannot get a simple service right..... I would be ashamed to be compared to HOME AFFAIRS but you not being compared!!! HOME AFFAIRS out shone out performed and out classed you in every aspect of service, delivery, honesty, respect, quality. I would be ashamed as a BANK but as a person I am ASHAMED to say I bank with ABSA. Ashamed that I made debt with an institution that has no credibility and refuses to give money back when their system failed!!!

Next we will explore why ABSA put limits on our accounts?? what the definition of a LIMIT is to ABSA!!! And when a ****** - somehow??? manages to overdraw the account by 5K over it's LIMIT... how ABSA can simply send you a message to say "You will not be refunded - letter to follow"

Needless to say I will do everything in my power to see they are called out for what they are.....