Shocking Business Practice!

Out of courtesy, I contacted Standard Bank on 27th May 2019, to ensure my bank account had been closed due to the fact that I am emigrating on Saturday 08 June 2019. My last visit to the bank dated and stamped 08-11-2017, I had approached Standard Bank Greenstone to confirm my final lump sum towards my student loan had been made successfully and that I no longer owed the bank anything towards the loan. I then requested that the bank account be closed and I was informed that because I had a positive balance I could not close the account, I had to spend the money on the debit card and then once reduced to zero balance I could close the account. To my surprise last week Monday, my initial contact with Standard Bank, I owed in the region of R2600 due to bank fees and interest on an overdraft linked to the account. I challenged this, because I was not given any notification and realized that my cell phone details had not been undated after numerous requests more than 3 years ago. I was then told over the phone that I had to go to a branch and speak to a manager - nothing could be done over the phone. I met with DIno at Carnival Mall branch, who said he would try resolve the problem for me and have the fees reversed. I was then told this would take 2-3 days. By Wednesday I had heard nothing and had to wait on the line for close to 45mins just to reach an agent who could see if anything had been done on my profile (29-05-2019). I was told nothing had been done. I requested to make a complaint and given a reference number ( ********** 391). I then received an sms (finally) stating that a resolution to the problem would be due today (04-06-2019). Shortly after this complaint I received a call from Dino at Carnival Mall Benoni, he informed me than I in actual fact had two accounts with Standard Bank. a student loan and a student achiever account. I disputed the fact that I did not have an option when opening the account - the student achiever was opened in order to send the loan to. I also disputed the fact that side from zero communication from Standard Bank, I also have not made any use of this account and thus a positive balance was taken into the negative due to bank charges and interest. He said he would get back to me after I requested he look at the transaction list, indicating that I do not and have not used this account.

I then went into the Greenstone branch yesterday (03-06-2019) and spoke with a gentleman named Constable Malaka. To my surprise my contact number STILL had not been updated on the system - further reinforcing my argument that I have not been able to receive notification or get Standard Bank to update my details. I explained that I am not liable for these charges, I do not even transact on the account and haven't for over 2 years. His comments seemingly indicate that I am complaining due to naivety and that I do not know how an over draft works. I insisted that I received a DEBIT card and struggle to understand how they would allow a student to go into the negative on a debit card. This was escalated (ref: ********** 434) with due date 07-06-2019. Simply buying themselves more time. ADDITIONALLY, I have no email record for my complaint - I was informed that this could not be forwarded I only have a reference number. And no email address to have record of my complaint to Standard Bank. I also made use of their online platform to submit my complaint - no feedback.

The urgency of the matter cannot be over stressed. I am emigrating on Saturday 08 June, I need resolution to the matter before Friday or risk not having enough time to close the account, because with the way this has been handled I am sure I will not be allowed to close the account unless I come into a branch. (physically impossible after Saturday). This will only increase the amount I owe indefinitely.