KNOCK, KNOCK, WHOSE THERE? NOT STANDARD BANK DEBT RELIEF CENTRE!!!!

According to Covid19, payment holidays on loans (term loans) application was duly made, on 30 March 2020, ON BOTH loan accounts, VIA EMAIL as advised by Standard Bank, to the debt care centre, and again on 15 April 2020 due to complete lack of response (I do not deem an automated response as a response, per se). Guess what? STILL ZERO RESPONSE! On 20 April 2020, I attended a Standard Bank BRANCH seeing as Covid19 seemingly affected your ability to reply to your loyal customers. Be that as it may, the branch refused to assist, as this falls under the debt care centre (do they exist????). I then resorted to Facebook and messenger, and I was assured that it would be attended to. Due to the fact that my household is under financial constraints, as a result of Covid19, and family members being self employed which means...no income.

Guess what? On 24 April 2020, I received a Letter of Demand from Standard Bank Legal Collections Department, advising me that I am in arrears. But guess what else?! My due date for payment is the 24th of the month, and never once have I been in arrears, because, Standard Bank has admitted that they have a NAEDO debit order phishing my account anyway (I am sure the Ombudsman would LOVE to hear that!). Upon receipt of this sorry excuse of a demand notice, I requested a breakdown so that I could try understand how this alleged arrears amount (for 2 months mind you!) was arrived at. STILL WAITING!

On 26 April 2020, I received an email from Bryden Davids advising me to pay an amount of R231.68 (on the one term loan). Due date - 28 April 2020. NO FURTHER EXPLANATIONS OFFERED. I still don't know what this is for!

At 07:26am on 28 April 2020, I received, yet again, another letter of demand, on the SAME account, with a DIFFERENT AMOUNT! Now, 2,5 months worth of installments! And at 08:08am on even date, another letter of demand on my second term loan, which to date, no response has been received on my earlier enquiry, also offering no explanation other than PAY as I am allegedly 2 months in arrears.

So, dearest Standard Bank, I HAVE to ask - what the actual hell ARE you doing? (if anything?!) Do you not bother reading or acknowledging comms from your clients? Do you not follow your KYC process before sending out these despicable letters of demand?! I have been a loyal client for years. Always up to date on loan payments. Sang your praises to family members (how embarrassed I am now!) Yet you could simply not be bothered to show any form of professionalism! I am mortified!

You have until 10:00 tomorrow, thats 29 April 2020 (you know, the year of Covid19 lockdown and all that) to respond, and rectify this situation. Failing which, I will approach the Banking Ombud for intervention and assistance.