QM
Queen M

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2012

05 Oct 2018, 11:42

Dormant Account Service Fees added under debt review

I am really disappointed in Standard Bank. I once had an account with Standard Bank which ended up going into a negative balance to due to financial difficulties I was experiencing at the time and my daughter falling ill did not help the situation as I did not even have medical aid at the time. I was forced to go under debt review as a result of all the hardships I was experiencing as a single mom. I tried numerous times to go the Standard Bank branch to get the account closed but each time I would be told they could not assist me until I settle the negative balance. Are service fees supposed to be included as part of debt review or am I missing something here. I cannot even get a job at a reputable company because of this debt review flag. I am now unable to get out of debt review and rebuild my life because of the service fees which were charged on my account now in the amount of R2500+. I feel rather vindicated that a Bank (as an institution I trusted with my money can have no sympathy whatsoever and even go to the extent of handing over a dormant account for service fees. I would completely understand if this was a debt I took out but Service fees amounting to R2500? I am trying to rebuild my life and this account is not allowing me to do so. I am pleading with Standard Bank to come to the party and resolve this issue once and for all. I still have a savings account with standard bank and have even been afraid to use it to save for my child's education because of this situation. I have never even qualified for a single credit offering from Standard Bank to this date. If there is any human being alive who can hear my plea and understand my frustrations as it appears I will never be able to get out of debt review because of service fees on a dormant account dating back to 2014. Complaint number: ********** 137. I am completely shuttered that my dreams have to fall away due to dormant account service fees.

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Replies (5)
Standard Bank
Standard Bank's reply05 Oct 2018, 15:25
Official

Thank you for posting your comment.

We assure you that as an organization we are committed to providing the best possible service and assure you that this will be addressed as a matter of urgency.

We apologize for the inconvenience and undue frustration, this has caused.

We greatly appreciate your continued support

Kind regards

Complaint Resolution Centre
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*** (fax)
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QM
Queen M's update09 Oct 2018, 15:05
Reviewer Update
I have now been diagnosed with Acute Stress reaction because of all the stress this is causing me. It is quite unfortunate that one's health needs to deteriorate before any action is taken. It is quite clear that Standard bank does not apologize for any inconvenience and heartache this is causing me. My request is simple, for Standard Bank to "write off the balance as it is made up of fees and charges" and provide confirmation that my debt counselor can now issue a clearance certificate. I would understand if I took money from standard bank and used it but for my entire livelihood to be taken away because of service fees which were previously written off by the bank in 2016 already. I spoke to so many different consultants and each one had their own story to tell me, sent from pillar to post and to this day no resolution in sight. All this while my child has to suffer because of Standard Bank... I am so broken!
QM
Queen M's update09 Oct 2018, 18:02
Reviewer Update
Thank you for your call Nkululeko and for explaining what happened with the account. During our call it was indicated that I did not indeed take up any credit offering with Standard Bank and the amount in excess of R2500 was for bank charges which could have resulted from unpaid debit orders that were still being submitted on that account. To close out the matter with Standard Bank, I only require a letter from Standard bank indicating that the cheque account in question was, and has in fact written off and closed by the bank in 2016 already.
QM
Queen M's update13 May 2019, 20:35
Reviewer Update
To this day I'm still waiting for Standard Bank to respond with the said letter by email. No communication whatsoever from Standard Bank since last year.
QM
Queen M's update27 Dec 2019, 11:11
Reviewer Update
Im receiving endless calls from some collections company saying I owe standard bank. You guys are ******, daylight ******s. Nxaaa