MOVING FORWARD AND FAR AWAY FROM STANDARD BANK

<p>Moving Forward.</p> <p> </p> <p>Well not today, or maybe ever for that matter.</p> <p> </p> <p>So, how do I even begin to demonstrate my utter disappointment and frustration? </p> <p> </p> <p>Last night I tried to purchase airtime via mobile banking, got an error message and from past experience assumed that it might be some technical glitch. So I left it there.</p> <p> </p> <p>While attempting to run some errands this morning I was left embarrassed at a pay point when my card kept declining. Off I went to the nearest ATM only to find an error message that read “..there are no accounts linked to your card.. please take this slip to your nearest branch.”</p> <p> </p> <p>Okay, so you reckon the branch will sort this out ASAP because I mean, MOVING FORWARD and all that.. No.</p> <p> </p> <p>Anyway, at the branch I waited about 40 minutes – It was quite busy for a Saturday and I accepted that. Finally a consultant checked my account. Apparently it had been frozen due to proof of address that I had not supp**** them with. </p> <p>According to them they also sms’ed me a few times and she was friendly enough to show me on her PC screen, BUT I had not received the messages nor a call even (also note that I am a very organized and controlling person, so I would have responded to such message)</p> <p> </p> <p>While with the consultant I logged onto my Gmail and emailed a latest MFC account statement to her, I wanted to help solve this problem even though I do not agree with it, but it turned 3 months old only yesterday so this was also an issue. </p> <p>Now, as a client whose personal details have NOT changed since I joined you, I expected this issue to be resolved. I mean the MFC account statement shows the address that they have on record!</p> <p> </p> <p>I am fami**** with the FIC Act. I am also in the industry where we require FICA from our clients so I can comprehend, BUT I have not had any sudden and inconsistent changes on my account. My account will reflect my salary deposits as per usual and the few debit orders I have running off it as well as and when transactions for purchases made, which are also the norm and usual of what goes off my account.</p> <p> </p> <p>So, Standard Bank, why are you suspicious of me? What did I do that made you need new proof of address? You verified me, supposedly very well, when I opened my account and since then I never had any change of detail nor app**** for any additional services or credit that might require new FICA. And after that, after many years, never requested any additional information?</p> <p> </p> <p>As a client I feel that you did not provide me with any good explanation or solution, comfort or even tried to relate with me about my problem or concerns this morning. You were trying to get rid of me. I mean, the consultant sent me to a teller to enquire about withdrawals as I won’t be able to access my account and when I asked about the costs for drawing money inside the bank she said yes the costs are substantially higher, that they couldn’t waive them or charge me a lower rate (I think you could have, because I am not reluctant to supply information to you, I just was not aware and I do not understand why you need new proof of address as nothing changed) She said that I can do one of those instant money transfers instead(wow why did I not think about that?), but also added that I had to decide quickly as it is almost closing time.</p> <p> </p> <p>Now, here I am, I have no access to MY salary and I cannot transact on my account, I don’t even know if you will allow my debit orders to go off because no one even tried to explain anything to me and my account was changed from frozen to suspended. And to think I was going to pay higher costs to get MY money from MY account!</p> <p> </p> <p>So in conclusion. I will be Moving Forward to another bank, and this might not phase you as customer services clearly do not enjoy any priority.</p> <p> </p>