Poor service! Allocation of payment and closure of account

On or about 10 October 2017 I opened up an account with RCS at Fraser’s (Mall of Africa). There was a campaign running at the time where one would qualify for a number of vouchers should an account be opened (provided the merchandise be purchased on credit). The offer looked quite attractive so I decided to take it up and accordingly opened the account.

I immediately settled the balance owing and because I did so that quickly, interest wasn’t levied on the account as yet.

From about early November 2017 I started receiving calls, SMS’s (at all times including the early hours of the morning - all letters in CAPS) including emails demanding payment of the balance which was R143! That’s right One Hundred and Forty Three Rand (although I do not believe that the first installment was even due at that point in time).

I made a payment of R200.00 immediately via EFT into the public recipient account RCS VIP card, quoting the reference in line with the requirements set out on my statement (ie VIP card number).

Notwithstanding this, I continued receiving threatening correspondences from the RCS group about suspending my account and placing an adverse listing on the bureau (which by now has already been done for the whopping R143 which I supposedly owed). To date I am still receiving such correspondences. All my attempts in contacting someone who could assist me were unsuccessful. People promised to call me back - I have heard nothing! I even sent a request for my account to be closed. Still nothing. Although this is one of my rights in terms of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.

To my surprise on 30 November 2017, I received an email from one, Lauren, who acknowledged receipt of my payment of R200.00 and advised that the incorrect reference number was used and further advised me that payment will be allocated. She advised me that the account number must be used as my reference when making payment (which contradicts what is contained on my statement). I felt a sense of relief as I thought that payment would finally be allocated and this issue would be put to bed.

However that was short lived. To my surprise a few days later, I again received correspondence to inform me that I now owe R170 (or there about). I have not even made use of the credit facility! So it can only be arrest interest (on the amount I have already paid!)

Yesterday I sent a private message to the RCS group via Facebook Messenger, I am still waiting for someone to contact me (in line with their response).

Today, I received an email from the same lady named Lauren (who I mentioned above) who advised me that the payment cannot be allocated due to insufficient detail on the proof of payment and requested the account number, amongst other details. This is the very same person who informed me of the account number in her previous correspondence to me. Further, I have already sent proof of payment to umpteen email addresses several times already (including the one she emails me from) (all for this R143). I then responded to Lauren and included other email addresses in my reply with the hope that someone would contact me, allocate the payment and close this account.

What an absolute nightmare! I am in absolute regret taking up this card as no amount of vouchers is worth the stress. I am hoping that someone contacts me to bring this matter to a close.

This long note has taken time out of my busy day and I am hoping I am not constrained to take this matter further.