FNB’s lack of communication causes me to be “Handed Over”

I came under financial strain (due to unemployment) which caused me to fall behind on my FNB overdraft.

FNB then revoked my overdraft and I had owed the overdraft amount immediately (occurred in May 2018)

1. In May 2018 I contacted FNB Collections and explained my situation and that I am unemployed but I understand I need to pay back the amount on my overdraft which I am committed to do.

2. The consultant advised me that I should pay no less than R500 per month on my frozen cheque account in order not to be handed over. I asked the consultant if I could pay R125 on a weekly basis – on a Friday (4x Friday’s makes R500 monthly). The consultant assured me that this agreement would be in order. (Should be telephonically recorded by FNB). I asked the lady to please make a note on the system of our agreement – she confirmed she did.

3. I paid the amount of R125 on every Friday as agreed between me and FNB.

4. In June 2018 I received yet another phone call from FNB Collections to confirm my payment arrangement. Yet again no problems. (Should be telephonically recorded by FNB). I asked the lady again to please make a note on the system of our agreement – she confirmed she did again.

5. On Saturday 23 June 2018 I received a phone call from FNB *****/Risk department which stated my Cheque Account has been “Handed Over “ to lawyers as I am not paying enough!

I made arrangements and kept to them in order NOT to be handed over! And now I am “Handed Over” without ANY explanation or warning in advance. NO consultant informed me that I am paying too little.

I am requesting that the recorded phone calls be reviewed to confirm that this is what the consultant communicated to me. I am already under extreme amount of pressure to ensure that my debt and accounts are brought up to date – and this is a setback as there will be additional lawyer collection fees.

How can FNB tell me to pay R500 per month – then I do and next moment I am not paying enough and I am Handed Over?! How can you do that to clients?! How can you make agreements and just void them?!