mA
mariam A
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2020
18 May 2026, 19:22
Pregnant Woman Left Stranded After Standard Bank Locked My Account Without Warnin
I am extremely disappointed with Standard Bank. My account was suddenly locked simply because I transferred money to myself from my other bank account. No one called me, emailed me, or even sent an SMS to verify the transaction before blocking my account.
Today I experienced the embarrassment and stress of having my card declined at the pharmacy while trying to pay for emergency medication. As a pregnant woman, this situation caused me unnecessary emotional stress and anxiety.
How can a bank lock a customer’s account without any warning or communication? What makes it worse is that the money transferred was my own money from my own account at another bank.
Banks should protect customers from *****, yes, but there should also be proper communication and consideration before completely blocking someone from accessing their funds. Leaving a customer stranded in an emergency situation without notice is unacceptable.
I hope Standard Bank improves the way they handle these situations because no customer deserves this kind of treatment.
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Replies (3)0
Replies (3)
Standard Bank's replyOfficial
19 May 2026, 06:59Dear Mariam,
Thank you for contacting us for assistance. We try very hard to make every customer’s experience enjoyable, and we really regret not being able to meet your expectations this time.
We will do our best to resolve this issue as soon as possible and find a solution that works for you.
Our team will contact you to assist you.
Kindest regards,
Standard Bank Hello Peter Team
***
Thank you for contacting us for assistance. We try very hard to make every customer’s experience enjoyable, and we really regret not being able to meet your expectations this time.
We will do our best to resolve this issue as soon as possible and find a solution that works for you.
Our team will contact you to assist you.
Kindest regards,
Standard Bank Hello Peter Team
***
Standard Bank's reply19 May 2026, 06:59
Official
Dear Mariam,
Thank you for contacting us for assistance. We try very hard to make every customer’s experience enjoyable, and we really regret not being able to meet your expectations this time.
We will do our best to resolve this issue as soon as possible and find a solution that works for you.
Our team will contact you to assist you.
Kindest regards,
Standard Bank Hello Peter Team
***
Thank you for contacting us for assistance. We try very hard to make every customer’s experience enjoyable, and we really regret not being able to meet your expectations this time.
We will do our best to resolve this issue as soon as possible and find a solution that works for you.
Our team will contact you to assist you.
Kindest regards,
Standard Bank Hello Peter Team
***
mA
mariam A's updateReviewer Update
19 May 2026, 09:35Dear Standard Bank Hello Peter Team,
Thank you for your response.
I appreciate the acknowledgement, however this matter is extremely urgent as my account remains affected and this has disrupted my daily activities and access to my own funds.
I still find it unfair that my account was restricted without any prior notification, verification call, email, or SMS from the bank, especially considering the transaction in question was a transfer from my own account at another bank.
I would also like to point out that my other bank account, from which the transfer was made, is functioning normally and no ***** report, restriction, or issue has been flagged from their side regarding this transaction. This further raises concern as to why my Standard Bank account was blocked without first verifying the transaction with me.
I trust that your team will prioritise this matter and contact me as soon as possible with a clear explanation and resolution timeline, as this situation has already caused unnecessary stress and inconvenience.
I look forward to urgent feedback.
Kind regards,
Mariam Agboola
Mariam Agboola
mA
mariam A's update19 May 2026, 09:35
Reviewer Update
Dear Standard Bank Hello Peter Team,
Thank you for your response.
I appreciate the acknowledgement, however this matter is extremely urgent as my account remains affected and this has disrupted my daily activities and access to my own funds.
I still find it unfair that my account was restricted without any prior notification, verification call, email, or SMS from the bank, especially considering the transaction in question was a transfer from my own account at another bank.
I would also like to point out that my other bank account, from which the transfer was made, is functioning normally and no ***** report, restriction, or issue has been flagged from their side regarding this transaction. This further raises concern as to why my Standard Bank account was blocked without first verifying the transaction with me.
I trust that your team will prioritise this matter and contact me as soon as possible with a clear explanation and resolution timeline, as this situation has already caused unnecessary stress and inconvenience.
I look forward to urgent feedback.
Kind regards,
Mariam Agboola
Mariam Agboola
mA
mariam A's updateReviewer Update
19 May 2026, 11:50Dear Standard Bank Hello Peter Team,
Thank you for your response.
However, after carefully reviewing clause 14.2 of Standard Bank’s own General Terms and Conditions, I am deeply concerned that the bank did not properly follow its own stated procedures before terminating my banking relationship.
Clause 14.2(a) clearly states that where the bank intends to close an account or terminate a relationship, the bank will provide reasonable prior notice in writing and may allow the customer an opportunity to make representations before a final decision is taken.
In my case, this did not happen.
I was never contacted to verify the transaction, despite the transaction simply being a transfer from my own account at another bank. No meaningful opportunity was given to me to explain or provide supporting information before my account was restricted and later terminated.
Instead, I only discovered there was an issue after my card was declined during an emergency payment situation. This caused unnecessary embarrassment, inconvenience, and emotional distress.
Clause 14.2(b) allows immediate action only where there is a reasonable suspicion of prohibited activities or legal obligations requiring such action. However, no evidence has been presented to me showing that I engaged in any prohibited activity. My other bank has not flagged or restricted the same transaction, which further raises concerns regarding the basis upon which these conclusions were reached.
At this point, it honestly appears that assumptions were made without a proper investigation involving me directly. A reasonable and fair investigation would have included contacting me first to verify the source of funds before taking such drastic action.
I still wish for this matter to be resolved internally and professionally by Standard Bank before escalating it further to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and other relevant authorities. However, I expect transparency, fairness, and a proper explanation regarding how this decision was reached.
I await urgent feedback from your complaints resolution team.
Kind regards,
Mariam Agboola
Mariam Agboola
mA
mariam A's update19 May 2026, 11:50
Reviewer Update
Dear Standard Bank Hello Peter Team,
Thank you for your response.
However, after carefully reviewing clause 14.2 of Standard Bank’s own General Terms and Conditions, I am deeply concerned that the bank did not properly follow its own stated procedures before terminating my banking relationship.
Clause 14.2(a) clearly states that where the bank intends to close an account or terminate a relationship, the bank will provide reasonable prior notice in writing and may allow the customer an opportunity to make representations before a final decision is taken.
In my case, this did not happen.
I was never contacted to verify the transaction, despite the transaction simply being a transfer from my own account at another bank. No meaningful opportunity was given to me to explain or provide supporting information before my account was restricted and later terminated.
Instead, I only discovered there was an issue after my card was declined during an emergency payment situation. This caused unnecessary embarrassment, inconvenience, and emotional distress.
Clause 14.2(b) allows immediate action only where there is a reasonable suspicion of prohibited activities or legal obligations requiring such action. However, no evidence has been presented to me showing that I engaged in any prohibited activity. My other bank has not flagged or restricted the same transaction, which further raises concerns regarding the basis upon which these conclusions were reached.
At this point, it honestly appears that assumptions were made without a proper investigation involving me directly. A reasonable and fair investigation would have included contacting me first to verify the source of funds before taking such drastic action.
I still wish for this matter to be resolved internally and professionally by Standard Bank before escalating it further to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and other relevant authorities. However, I expect transparency, fairness, and a proper explanation regarding how this decision was reached.
I await urgent feedback from your complaints resolution team.
Kind regards,
Mariam Agboola
Mariam Agboola