***** and ******** Activity

Dear Standard Bank,

After a number of months and continuous follow up with your Transactional ***** Department, I am left with no other option than to take this matter public.

On the 5th July 2017 we made payment of R5350.00 for a deposit for the installation of an electric gate to a company called Steelmasters. Unknown to us, the email from the company to us with the invoice was hacked and the banking details on the invoice changed. Hence when we made payment against the invoice, the payment was not received by the company, but instead went to someone else.

How is this a Standard Bank issue? Well, Standard Bank did not carry out the FICA process for the ********** account holder correctly, and as a result this individual was able to conduct ******* activity through Standard Bank. 1. The account holder name was "Steelmasters", even though this individual does not own Steelmasters, or work for Steelmasters. How does someone register with a company name and not provide proof to the bank when registering the account to prove that is their business? 2. The address he provided in his FICA process as Proof of Address physically doesn't exist. The SAPS have tried to track him down but very quickly realised that the address he provided Standard Bank was not only incorrect, but actually doesn't exist whatsoever. How did Standard Bank validate his address when FICA'd if it doesn't exist? Clearly they didn't do that.

It is obvious that there was a breach in the FICA and registration process for this Standard Bank client. FICA is in place to prevent this exact scenario: *****. And because the process was not carried out correctly this account holder was able to carry out his ***** through your bank. Had you verified his details as you should have, you would have realised that he is not "Steelmasters" and his address does not exist. He would never have been able to open an account with Standard Bank and as a result would have have been able to commit this crime through your bank.

A SAPS investigation was conducted, and this individual's details were provided to the Officer following a subpoena. They have very efficiently concluded a thorough investigation, however were unable to track this gentleman down due to the **** address provided to Standard Bank. I am happy to give you my case number and the Warrant Officer's name for you to verify these details.

I have made approximately 30 follow up calls to Standard Bank. 1. Evelyn from your ***** department has never once contacted me back when she's said she would, does not reply to emails and is notoriously difficult to get hold of. 2. I've been told that because this individual withdrew the funds immediately you cannot reverse the payment (duh). 3. I've been told "legal cannot assist" and "is not at liberty to speak with you". Typical legal. 4. I've been told twice that Evelyn will contact the investigator on your side to find out whether they carried out the correct FICA process. Am I missing something? They very clearly didn't, BECAUSE THE ADDRESS DOESN'T EVEN EXIST. 5. I've been told "because you are not a client we cannot assist you". Ie, you're not a client so we don't give a ****.

Well. It would be my recommendation that you start to give a ****. The situation is very simple. 1. Standard Bank did not FICA an individual correctly and did not carry out the correct verification process. 2. As a result, this individual was able to open an account (a bogus one). 3. This individual then conducted ******** activity through your bank. 4. He would not have been able to de***** me of R5350.00.

I would like formal proof that your FICA process was carried out correctly (which I guarantee you won't be able to provide me), as well as an explanation as to how this individual was able to open an account with a bogus company name and proof of address. I would then like to know how Standard Bank is going to rectify this, and would like reimbur*****t of money that was ****** from me due to an error by Standard Bank.

Please contact me. And please advise whoever contacts me to start taking this seriously.

Shana