Abuse at African Bank

<p>I have previously reported on this site the abuse one has been experiencing from African Bank. They called me back and assured me my concerns were addressed. To my dismay however; I just got confirmation today from one of their agents (Boipelo Mosalaesi) that they have handed my account to some attorneys called Stowel and Co. This was apparently done in January 2017; but nobody saw it important to advise me of this decision; until today when I called African Bank to advise me of the balance in my account. They first refused to give me these details; arguing that they are not managing the account anymore. When I pressed further; arguing that my bank statements were showing that it is African Bank who is debiting my account; they eventually gave me the details. While I am not an expert on Credit Act or Consumer rights; I am of the view that a creditor cannot just hand over an account without first advising the client of: (a) the intention to do so; (b) the new terms of reference (or payment arrangements); (c) interests or charges; and the (d) implications thereof to the client. Failure to do any of the above to me amounts to abuse and complete disregard of consumer rights. It is even worse when the creditor (Boipelo Mosalaesi) then asks you to be the one contacting the attorneys; as if I am the one who contracted their services to recover/collect the debt. African Bank must inform me promptly of their processes that lead clients to being handed over; and the relief available to clients where they feel the process has been mishandled or consumer rights have been disregarded. I also want African Bank to provide me a full statement on both my accounts; reflecting the money paid to date; especially from October 2016; their interest; and the charges for the attorneys they have contracted. Since I am disputing the handing over of my account; any moneies paid to these attorneys must be credited to my account as I will not agree to be charged for a service I did not contract and was not informed about until today when I called to enquire about my account details. As I conclude with my complaint; it is important to stress that I am not arguing that creditors should not hand over clients if they default on my payments; but am arguing that consumers have the rights to be advised of this; its implications; and the costs thereof. I am very disappointed with African Bank because this is the second time this happening to me; despite having written a similar complaint about African; and being assured by the agent who called me then that it was a mistake that will never happen again. This is just giving me an indication that there are many consumers who face the same abuse from this bank; and find themselves paying costs to attorneys they don't even know about. I have put my details below so the person attending to this can access my account and resolve ASAP.</p> <p> </p> <p>Name: Siyand Magubane</p> <p>ID Number: ********** 470089</p> <p> </p> <p>Hope I can be assisted; not mislead by agents who cannot answer when I ask them simple questions about internal processes for handing over clients to attorneys; or costs thereof.</p> <p> </p> <p>Hope to get a response ASAP.</p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks.</p>