New Credit Card ***** - inside info leaked (POPI)

It all started when I was telephonically granted a credit card with a small allowance credit facility. I was happy to accept “in case” of emergencies. The process took about 2 weeks or so and the profile was automatically loaded onto my banking app. I didn’t know how to use the card and was told that the card would need to be collected to be activated. I also wasn’t too sure on which amount was authorised or loaded onto my card as I had never received an sms or email stating the confirmed amounts. I then later received a call (which was the ***** call) where they said they calling from Standard Bank credit card division and that they wanted to “activate” my allowance. They then further proceeded to confirm minor details for “security” reasons like my home address and email verification details…this lead me to believe that it was some sort of “valid” call because how would they know what my credit application limit approval was as well as POPI detail. In the background they asked me for the card details as well as saying I would receive various trigger messages which I should just okay so that my card can be activated etc. I was extremely busy with work at that time (6th Dec) as most of the company was closing hence my distraction. I was also happy to perhaps have access to a credit facility/ just in case I needed it for the holiday season - so I was very much “distracted”. Immediately after I confirmed transactions which I thought was an part of an activation and verification process…I was called by Standard Bank to say that there was ***** activity on my credit card /facility (a card that I had never collected and an account that I wasn’t even aware was activated already at the time of the ***** call). An amount of around 15k was used for 2 transactions by Spot Money on my credit facility. Well I do understand that I had in haste not looked at the sms triggers/transactions properly. I’d like to know the following which is very disturbing and disappointing: - 1) How did these *****sters gain access to my credit information and other details like my cell number and email as well as credit limit facilities? 2) how was my account activated without me receiving or collecting my card leaving it at risk of exploitation and accessible? 3) Standard Bank want to offer to COMPENSATE me on half of the ***** amount expecting me to pay for the rest of the ***** activity amount when I didn’t even see my card or know that my account was active. I’ve been a customer for 17 years now and I am an employee of the group. I feel that this is grossly unfair practice when my information was leaked and it seems like an inside **** where they target credit card approved individuals and have access to information. I am solely responsible for the financial wellbeing of 3 children and my parents so I cannot afford to be paying of *****ulent amounts where the bank was supposed to be protecting me. Where does the POPI act come into play here? I know feel ****med by the *****sters as well as the bank whom I’ve banked with since I started working. My first debit went off on a ***** amount on a credit facility which I’ve never used in the same month that I received the card! This is by far the worst experience ever! The consultant did not even contact me for any further details or clarification on the matter but automatically made an assumption on the case. I find this type of treatment disgusting and inhumane.Standard Bank categorises people and care as part of their ethos but this proves that they are no where near to being anything but! I’ve tried to reach out to query*****@standardbank.co.za and that has come back as a failure thrice. The consultant Kerusha was not willing to go the extra mile just sent me a final email that the matter has been resolved.