FNB - How can we ***** You?!!

In September 2007 I had relocated to Durban and resided there for just over two years. Within the first year I was there, I was in a smash and grab where my bag was ******. I had my bank card and ID in my hand bag amongst other valuable items including jewelry. I had reported this to the local police station and called FNB to have my card stopped immediately. I had also opened a Nedbank account since the bank charges were cheaper, but did not think to close the FNB account until about a week later. They told me that I could not close the account because there was an overdraft amount outstanding of R 600.00. I told them that I had not overdrawn on the account and refused to pay it.

I did not hear from FNB again until March of 2012 when Groenewald Lubbe Inc. contact me and told me that there was a court order for me to make payment and if I do not adhere to the court order, I would lose all of my positions and could be locked up for contempt of court. So, I felt that I had no choice but to make these payments and have been paying this account for more than five years.

It began with a payment of R 200 and every few months they ask for me to increase the amount. Last year, they wanted me to increase it again from R 550, but when I told them that I am really struggling and can not afford it, they threatened to take me to court again to make me pay a higher amount. And I am honestly struggling that there are days where I can not afford groceries for the month and I have to go days without food just so that my children can eat. I do not waste money at all because there is never money available for luxuries. Yet again, I was forced into paying and now I am paying R 600.

A lady from FNB pulled all of my statements from 2007 up until the day this account was handed over in 2012 and she confirmed that she could see that there was ***** involved. I lived in Durban where the smash and grab happened and the card was re-issued at East Rand Mall in the same year of my card being reported ******. I moved back to Johannesburg in 2010. (During my stay in Durban, I did not come to Johannesburg as I was running from a particular stalker and I was afraid of him finding me again. And yet, my card was re-issued in Johannesburg). I went to the Kempton Park Police Station in 2012 when this came about to report this ********** activity and was told by the clerk that I can not open a case because FNB have their own investigative unit there and they will handle this case themselves.

But how good is the ********** unit if all the evidence clearly shows that there was ********** activities happening. Did they really do their job correctly? And why would the Kempton Park Police Station not involve themselves? Is there a kick back they get if the consumer is forced to make payment?

Luckily, the person provided me with every bit of proof by means of the statement and proof that the card was re-issued at FNB in East Rand Mall while I was residing in Durban to help me get my attorneys involved and help me now get a case opened with the Police Station.

I am now getting my attorneys involved to sue for all the payments I have made over the last, just over, five years.