Disgusting Behaviour by Nedbank

Disgusting behaviour by Nedbank I have had a cheque account with Nedbank for many years. On 11.12.2018 I tried to draw money from the Nedbank ATM outside the Kleinmond Nedbank Branch in the Overstrand. Instead of getting cash I got an error message and then a printout showing the money had been debited to my account and underneath this a “ transaction cancelled “ followed by a long message about delays in deposited funds reflecting in one’s account. This seemed to imply insufficient funds. I knew there were sufficient funds in the account so entered the bank to enquire what was going on. I obviously did not appreciate the waste of my time. I was told that the signal sometimes failed and to try again. I tried again at the ATM with the same result and then back into the branch with more of my time wasted. I was told to try again but I refused and insisted they check my account as I also wanted to see the balance to ensure they were not debiting me each time I did not get any cash. They then discovered that Nedbank had blocked my account. They imp**** that it was my fault as I had not used the account for some time. This was not true as I had last drawn cash a few days earlier on 21.11.18. Anyway even if I had been on holiday and not used the account how dare they just block my account and my access to my funds without any communication. They continued to insist the account had not been used. I produced my ATM slip from the 21.11.18 and proved otherwise. They then said that did not count as usage. Nedbank’s definition of usage was a deposit of funds. As I had not made a deposit for some time I therefore had not used the account and for my safety the system had blocked it. What a load of disingenuous *******. There were more than enough funds in the account so I had no reason to deposit more. That however obviously does not suit Nedbank so some subtle harassment and denial of access to your own funds is in order? They agreed there were plenty of funds and everything was in order with the account. (FICA etc. all in order) I had done nothing wrong from my side but the system had blocked my account. Now it was the systems fault not Nedbank’s. They then tried to claim I had been told this when I opened the account. This was blatantly untrue as I had opened it years earlier after a drive by Nedbank to get Old Mutual Staff to open Nedbank accounts. I had told Nedbank at the time that I would open an account if I could make infrequent deposits but draw out money when I needed it. Nedbank assured me at the time that this was no problem. At no time since have I received a direct communication advising of a change in this regard. I do however get a monthly Emailed statement and plenty of marketing junk trying to sell me stuff? The Branch confirmed that the system records showed no communication to me of any potential blocking of my account. They then tried to tell me that the block was for security reasons to protect clients. Really. They need to block my account to protect me because they don’t get more money from me? Get real. The staff then told me the only way they could undo the block was if I drew money over the counter, which of course means I incur extra fees for the privilege. Talk about adding rip-off to insult and injury and total inability to fix their own mess without further inconvenience and loss to the client. When I raised this further cost they assured me they would monitor the account and reverse the additional costs when they came through. Really, they expect me to believe this after what had just happened? Of course they could not block it happening in the first place. I have been a loyal client for many years and have never defaulted in any way. I found the whole experience disgusting and am considering terminating my account. In my opinion the banks behaviour is totally contrary to TCF and borders on ******** behaviour. If they don’t get more funds they block your account, even if there are plenty of funds in the account and no issues at all with the account. They do this secretively without communicating to the client. If they had communicated with fair warning, I would at least have been able to query it and take some action in this regard before being denied my own funds. What would have happened if this had happened on a weekend or outside banking hours? This could put clients in really difficult if not dangerous situations. They are putting clients at risk and this behaviour needs to cease immediately. Perhaps Nedbank are just incapable of dealing with clients who make more infrequent deposits rather than monthly wage or salary deposits?