Devastated ***** victim harassed by Standard Bank debt collectors

On the 27th of October (morning) I called Standard Bank to block my card after my phone was ****** only to find out that there were *****ulent transactions on my account which they then froze my profile. I submitted an affidavit from the SAPS with a case number as per their request.

Since then I haven’t received an update from their ***** department, I only receive automated messages saying that they are still busy with the investigation. They first said that it’ll take 7 working days will later changed to 14 working days to now. All my debit orders (for the end of October) bounced. They denied me access to my Access save account as I needed money to pay rent (the access account is not affected by the *****ulent transactions).

I don’t know how many times I went to the branch and also called their ***** Department with no assistance. Now I’m receiving collections calls from their collections department with regards to my credit card which I couldn’t pay because they suspended my profile, I’ve never missed a payment before. How am I going to pay for my credit card while it’s also suspended? With what money because they are denying me access to the money that I’ve saved with them? Now we’re approaching the end of November and I still don’t have access to my account which means my debit orders are going to bounce again (including my life and funeral covers). I don’t know where to seek assistance now, I’m so frustrated.

It was a struggle for me to get my bank statement to submit to the SAPS as evidence, I had to go to the branch and call the ***** department several times for approval, isn’t the credit card also part of my profile? If they can hand over my credit card why can’t they give me access to my access save account coz I need my money? I went to the branch on Friday to report the collection calls and they said they’ve forwarded the matter to the relevant department but I’m still receiving these calls even now. Why am I not receiving an update about the R37 000 that was transferred from my account?