Bank *****

My name is Susan Wolmarans. I have an account with Standard Bank South Africa and I am reporting them to the South African Ombudsman as well, because their service is not only bad, but they are beyond negligent.

I am currently in Mauritius and I contacted the bank to arrange for me to be able to withdraw funds from my personal savings account, in the Mauritian currency (MUR) and enjoy my vacation. I arrived on my daughter's expense and as I get pocket money into my account, I realized 3 weeks after arriving that Standard Bank has despite me doing everything they have asked - (and having the reference number) to allow me to spend my money in the Mauritius economy - THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING!!!!

The first time I withdrew money beginning of June, in Pasadena Flic en Flac Mauritius, the machine would not give me the money. I tried to withdraw from two internationally facilitating ATM, namely - SMB anf BARCLEYS. I was only allowed to swipe my card at the grocery market and was not charged in MUR as I was suppose to, but rather in ZAR.

At first I didn't notice that the currency conversion was not done and that I have been ****med by Standard bankit, but got suspicious when I could not get Standard Bank to answer their international customer care number. I ran out of money as I did not get the full R1200 as I was suppose to have for one month - but only a mere ZAR450.

Beginning of July 2018 I once again withdrew money and the same happened. I sent an urgent plea for help- as this is ***** on behalf of Standard Bank South Africa - and I am destitute in a foreign country. The email reply I got is avoiding the issue and I am stunned at the apathy. The agent did not even bother to answer my desperate plea for help. The agent probably didn't read the information through - but gave me an unsympathetic answer. By doing this Standard Bank has left me destitute. How am I suppose to call into the call center for help IF I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO, BECAUSE MY BANK IS COMMITTING ***** BY NOT CONVERTING THE CURRENCY???

I still have the reference number, the date I made the call and I was assured that I was taken care of - and that my card was good to use in Mauritius until end September. I have never had an account with standard bank and will never recommend them to anyone - and when I return to South Africa I intent to take the matter further. When elderly and retired people travel over seas we trust and expect good service - why else are we paying bank fees for to have the account in the first place. I am disappointed and quite frankly disgusted at Standard back for the apathy towards their clients and for side-stepping the issue.

Thank you Hellopeter.com for providing me with a platform to warn others. Susan. C Wolmarans