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Theodore S
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2012
21 Dec 2022, 14:45
African Bank committing ***** by refusing to release my 85-year old mother's funds
19 months ago I assisted my then 83-year old mother to open a 12-month fixed deposit account at African Bank Hillcrest. Upon maturity of the account, we opted to reinvest the capital and interest for a further 6 months. This account then matured in November 2022, at which point my mom and I decided to move the funds to Standard Bank as it offered a better interest rate. We proceeded to African Bank Pavilion to transfer the funds to Standard Bank. Luyolo, African Bank consultant told us that African Bank had blocked the funds, stating that there was suspected ***** on the account. No-one except African Bank has had access to the funds. It is mind boggling what ***** they are referring to as no elements of ***** exist. If anything, African Bank is committing ***** because it is intentionally and ********ly refusing my mom access to her money by misrepresenting that some "suspicious ********** activity" appears to have taken place on the account; thus causing my mom patrimonial prejudice as she loses out on potential interest she could be earning on the funds at Standard Bank.
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Theodore S's updateReviewer Update
25 Dec 2022, 06:15African Bank stated in their "Private reply" that they tried reaching out to me but couldn't get hold of me. This is a lie. No one from African Bank called me or my mother (They have both our contact details, including email)! I called their ethics line and gave full details. The person I spoke to could also not fathom the so-called "suspicious ********** activity". However, he gave a turn-around time of 3 weeks for this simple matter to be investigated. All that is required is for the IT section of the bank to check the logs on the account to determine who put a hold on the account, ask that person to submit a report of what gave rise to their "suspicion", whether they conducted any investigation following their "suspicion", and, if so, what their investigation revealed. This can be sorted in less than an hour, but African Bank give themselves 3 weeks. I suppose they have a huge backlog of similar cases where they attempt to de***** their customers...
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Theodore S's update25 Dec 2022, 06:15
Reviewer Update
African Bank stated in their "Private reply" that they tried reaching out to me but couldn't get hold of me. This is a lie. No one from African Bank called me or my mother (They have both our contact details, including email)! I called their ethics line and gave full details. The person I spoke to could also not fathom the so-called "suspicious ********** activity". However, he gave a turn-around time of 3 weeks for this simple matter to be investigated. All that is required is for the IT section of the bank to check the logs on the account to determine who put a hold on the account, ask that person to submit a report of what gave rise to their "suspicion", whether they conducted any investigation following their "suspicion", and, if so, what their investigation revealed. This can be sorted in less than an hour, but African Bank give themselves 3 weeks. I suppose they have a huge backlog of similar cases where they attempt to de***** their customers...
African Bank's replyOfficial
26 Dec 2022, 12:24Thanks for speaking up and calling us out. I have contacted you on the provide number and you wanted us to speak to Theo on your behalf. I advised you that you can request Theo to send us a message when you are together so that you can give us authority to speak to Theo on your behalf alternatively make a power of attorney so that Theo can be assisted without the client as you are not staying at the same place.
We hope to talk to you soon.
Your African Bank Support Specialist team
We hope to talk to you soon.
Your African Bank Support Specialist team
African Bank's reply26 Dec 2022, 12:24
Official
Thanks for speaking up and calling us out. I have contacted you on the provide number and you wanted us to speak to Theo on your behalf. I advised you that you can request Theo to send us a message when you are together so that you can give us authority to speak to Theo on your behalf alternatively make a power of attorney so that Theo can be assisted without the client as you are not staying at the same place.
We hope to talk to you soon.
Your African Bank Support Specialist team
We hope to talk to you soon.
Your African Bank Support Specialist team
TS
Theodore S's updateReviewer Update
26 Dec 2022, 12:52Once again, kicking the can down the road. My mom and I have already visited the Pavilion branch together where she once again confirmed that African Bank can deal with me on her behalf. We were not assisted then. Instead of making a call, which I have done already on 21 December 2022 (I spoke to Fred Davids), I will take my wheel-chair bound mother one more time to the branch on Wednesday morning. There is no better authorization than one given in person, rather than calls that can be dropped. It is a pity though that the bank representative who called me before speaking to my mother promised to call me back but failed to do so. I am convinced that this is the worst banking experience my mother and I have had.
TS
Theodore S's update26 Dec 2022, 12:52
Reviewer Update
Once again, kicking the can down the road. My mom and I have already visited the Pavilion branch together where she once again confirmed that African Bank can deal with me on her behalf. We were not assisted then. Instead of making a call, which I have done already on 21 December 2022 (I spoke to Fred Davids), I will take my wheel-chair bound mother one more time to the branch on Wednesday morning. There is no better authorization than one given in person, rather than calls that can be dropped. It is a pity though that the bank representative who called me before speaking to my mother promised to call me back but failed to do so. I am convinced that this is the worst banking experience my mother and I have had.