Ackerman’s goes after 87 year old woman for debt she did not take

My grandmother an 87 year old loyal customer has been saving coins and putting them into a gift card in order to buy things for her great grand children as and when the need small things like school socks.

In or about 2021/2022 I went with her to Ackermans Wonderpark to deposit money into the gift card as she always does.

When we got there a consultant said to her that the gift card had expired. I proceeded to ask if it's possible to transfer the existing funds which were around R2000 into a new card so that she can continue to save. The agent said he will contact head office to confirm which he did.

We were then told that they would give her a new card and the funds would then be into the new card. To which I left her at the store trusting that they would take care of her and the process as I wanted to go to pick n pay.

On my return the guys asks for her ID, which she gave, I asked if this is a credit card, to which he says no, then he informs that her savings has been transfered into the card and we leave.

In 2023 she sent me to the store 3 times, once in Centurion mall @ red, I believe that the 2nd time was also in Centurion, and the 3rd time in randfontein. Each time I went to the stores I asked how much does she still have on the card in order to confirm that we don't buy over what she spent.

She has since been receiving calls telling her that she is debt and she must pay for her account.

When we asked what account, they tell us that she opened an account with the store.

The only document they had was her ID .

How do they open an account without all supporting documents? What happened to the money that she has been saving? How do they open an account for an 84 year old?

Now they are threatening to take her to the lawyers .

They have been harassing her with calls from consultants who have very little respect or empathy who refuse to hear the story nor do the update the system when we inform them that the case is currently with *****.

The ***** department expects her to produce receipts from 2021. and the original gift card, which is unreasonable.

They have caused her emotional distress.

I would love to see Ackerman’s put an 87 year old woman on trial for a debt she did not open.