New Kind of Bank *****?

I am a customer of 35 years standing at Standard Bank.

On 7 July 2021 I made a normal debit card purchase at Courtside Spar in Nelspruit.

Upon reveiwing my balance the following Monday I was shocked to see that roughly R8500 had disappeared from my account, ***.

Internet banking showed 8 separate transactions having been done at Courtside Spar on 8 July,

I did not make these transactions, did not receive SMS's notifying me, nor did these transactions appear to go off my monthly EFT limit, which should have stopped them. Yet the money is gone.

I was given a case number, ***, when I phoned Standard immediately to block my card, with a promise that the bank would respond within 5 working days. I received an SMS saying the bank would contact me within 72 hours. Nothing happened.

I phoned today and was informed that the investigation indicated that the purchases had been made using my actual card and pin number, so no refund will be forthcoming. Which is impossible as the card was with me.

Furthermore, Spar has indicated that no such purchases reflect on their system for 8 July (see CC'd email address)

I contacted Vodacom to try and get a record of SMS's for 8 July, but they indicated that they do not keep a record of automated bank SMS's, only personal messages.

Please help, as I am unemployed and cannot afford this loss, and will not leave the matter as is.

As a loyal client I am sorely disappointed at the level of service and feedback provided to me.