***** Case - Poor Handling

<p>I have been a loyal Standard Bank Customer for the past 9 years. They have the most competitive pricing. In my 9 years with Standard Bank I have never signed for an Overdraft Facility. </p> <p>In June 2016 i received an sms from Standard Bank informing me that i had gone over my overdraft facility. I tried to check my account via cell phone banking and i could not access it, I then tried to access my account via internet banking and my account had been greyed out. I then contacted customer service and they informed me that i was in arrears of R30 000. I informed them that i do not have an overdraft facility and that i never app**** for one or approved for an overdraft facility. I requested to have my cheque card cancelled and the have the account blocked for any further transactions. I then asked to be put through the ***** division so I could open a case. They put me through to ***** division and I explained what happened and they opened the case. I then got in touch with my prestige banker at the Braamfonetin branch and i informed her of what was happening. I gave her the case number which i was givien by the ***** divison. she said she would follow up. She called me back and she said she couldnt find the ref number which i gave her so she had to reopen the case and she gave me a correct reference number. I was later contacted by ***** and a consultant named Thulani Xolani was assigned to my case. He assured me that the case would take 7 days to rectify. </p> <p>After a few days I got another call to tell me that my balance had gone up to R80 000 and i asked did they not cancel the card nor did they block the account for any outward transactions. They then said they have cancelled the card and they assured me that no further transactions will take place. a few days later I was contacted once again by Standard Bank and they informed me i was in arreas of R 118 000. I called standard bank and they could not explain why. </p> <p>Thulani then called me and he apologised for the fruther transactions which took place and he promised me that the account was frozen for any out going transactions. He then asked me to go open a police case and I went to the police station and they infomed me that they need a copy of my stamped original bank statements as well as the location as to where the first ******* transaction took place. I went back to standard bank and informed them of that. They told me they could not access my bank statements and that i should go into a branch, I said hold on but Thulani had a copy of my bank statements and he sent them to me why can you not give me my statements. Thye could not respond. After about two weeks the prestige banker at braamfontein organised the bank statements for me. However when i asked for the location of the first transaction they told me i needed a case number from the police and i told them i cant get one becasue they want the location so they can send the docket to correct jurisdiction so they can start the investigations. I sent their complaints division an email detailing what was happening and they said they would follow up and they never did. Now this is alll in Mid July and nothing has been done yet. Begining of August i had to travel out of the country for about a month and they still hadnt provided me with the details i needed to open the case. The i was leaving is the day they gave me the information. I emailed the necessary people and informed them that i would send them the details upon my return. I returned end of August and i first went past the police station to open the case. I then emailed the case number and affidavit as they had requested. I did not receive a response for 2 weeks. Eventually they emailed and sadi they received the information and that they will get back to me to finalise the investigation. I waited for 7 days and they did not respond. I then sent them an email informing them I was taking legal action against Standard Bank and they responded and said they are finalising. </p> <p>In the midst of all this I am getting phone calls from the credit division stating that I owe them the R118 000 and that i must make payment arrangements. With each call I had to explain exactly what is happening and i would provide them with my claim number. Yet I am still receiving SMSes and phone calls. Today i received an SMS saying my account has been handed over to their collection Attorneys Mac Robert Attorneys. I contacted the attorneys and gave them the reference number and explained again. The consultant checked my account and verified that its being investigated. </p> <p>What baffles me is, the weekend before the ********** transactions i received and SMS from standard bank it stated that they were doing systems upgrades and that they would be down. Secondly, how was an overdraft facility activated on my account without my approval or signature. Thirdly, why did i not receive notifications on my phone when the transactions where taking place? </p> <p>I really want Standard Bank to rectify this matter and to reverse all the ********** transactions which took place on my account. My credit has been affected negatively I tried to apply for finance to purchase furniture and i was declined. and it was because of standard bank. At work its affecting me because its stressing me out. It humiliating to constantly get calls regarding this matter which is not my fault. </p> <p>Standard Bank does not care about their consumers. </p>