ABSA Bank
Reviews and Complaints

I have a concern, which I did voice earlier, with no resolve.
I just made payment on my VISA card to purchase software (which I often do as part of my business).
The secure payment site was MyCommerce (a Digital River Company). The transaction was processed with NO 3D verification. How is that possible? Then it is still possible to get scammed using your VISA card without proper verification? What is the point of better verification if it is not implemented 100%?
I also requested a second Visa card, which I will use for online transactions, with low limit, and pre-load with money before a transaction. This was declined as it is apparently not policy any more. Short of this, I must cancel my card after each non 3D purchase to be safe?
I was a victim of a card scam before, and I feel there are things that can be done to improve online security, but that not all is been done.
I will appreciate your feedback on this.
JGJ De Waal (Gerhard)

I have complained numerous times regarding the above product on Hellopeter and get a reply from a Daphne Le Grange that I will be contacted. She sent me an email on 18 April requesting my ID No which I sent to her on the same day so that she could investigate further. Sent another email to her on 3 May as I had still not received a response. Sent another mail on 5 May and reported once again on Hellopeter to which I receive a reply from the very same lady, Daphne Le Grange, that I will be contacted. To date still no reply (how can you have a person manning Hellopeter that does not respond and sort the problem out!) She should not be the "go to" person on Hellopeter where else does one turn, numerous emails to her personal email address and complaints on Hellopeter not responded to. I need to get answers on this pathetic, useless product, that I have been paying for years and the amount hardly goes down. It actually goes up! PLEASE HELP!

My geyser stopped working on the 07/07/2017 - no hot water supply. I could not get hold of the insurance the weekend so I contacted my own plumber who replaced all the components of the geyser. Still not working. I had a second plumber out again at my cost and the geyser is still not heating the water. I contacted absa insurance on monday 10/07/2017 they have sent out 2 plumbers and an electrician and my issue has still not been resolved. I have to deal with rude individuals at the call centre who are not helpful and have no sympathy for my situation. As I write this e mail I have been without hot water from the 07/07/2017 to date. I have acute bronchitis and I am having to shower in cold water. I was also not at work on monday and tuesday trying to sort the geyser issue out, r300 airtime later my problem has not been resolved.

My claim number is 329 08 08

I have written on absa's fb wall and the administrator has removed my posts on two occasions.

I have also sent them a message via messenger. I have been communicating with an individual who is full of empty promises - I am still waiting for the phone call from absa regarding, my complaint.

Your assistance to resolve my problem will be greatly appreciated.

I am considering airing my story to the local newspapers, that's how serious I am!

I can be contacted on nikita. [protected]@gmail.com

Insurance Claim 3265078 for a burst geyser

Despite many telephone calls during which I have spoken to many different consultants (Palesa, Thuba, Angie, Phosedi) and having received promises of action from each of them, I have still not been reimbursed for the Geyser which I paid for. All necessary details and an Invoice were submitted on the 1 June 2017 by email to [protected]@absa.co.za

The resolution of the complaint would be for your company to pay me

Since end of May 2017 I went into the bank 4 times to activate the "notify me" on my cellphone, every time they say it is activated, but up to date I still do not get any notifications on my phone and it is frustrating as I can not keep record of what is being paid or not.

I also do not have any proof of deductions on my cell phone that is going off on my account, I am not comfortable giving my account nr on the website, feel free to contact me for information.

I was recently conned trough EFT banking with people using fraud capitec account to transfer funds from my Absa Saving account as a vehicle deposit. Within 24hrs once upon once reliezing the scam I contacted Absa fraud to block the transfer in wich I was assure of the blockage and requested to submit necessary documents to prove transaction including the case number with affidavit in wich I submitted. After several inquiries regarding my case I was recently informed that capitec has no record of being advice of my case wich resulted in the transaction being processed.

Hi, I'm Patrick Manjo. I have a complain. Last year some people opened an account at PEP but I don't really know at which PEP store. Apparently the account was an Absa account. The Fraudsters claim R8745.60 and used absa account and I have never opened a transactional account. I have once spoke to Mr Shine Buthelezi. Whom he has never helped me. I would like ABSA to settle the amount that was claimed and used at absa account and the money should be settled at my SARS account. My Cellphone number is [protected] and my id number is [protected].

03 July

I have called Absa for 2 consecutive months complaining about un authorised debits orders. You don't get any resolution about the issue but rather getting numbers of un existing company's. For the past 2 months an amount approximately to R400 has been taken from my account, its 4 different transactions, of the same amount. I thought the fraud department gets involved when such starts to happen. How do you have the same debit order 4 times in less than a month. Unless I am not understanding how the banks operate at the moment.

The worst part about this, is that I was given two different numbers from the same back and then the consultant her name is Thato made me wait for over 15 minutes, whilst confirming the second number that I got from the previous agent. Whilst I was still holding the call was just cut with no confirmation of the number. And the call was never returned, she cant say she didn't have my number as she was busy with my profile that has all my details.

I opened an ABSA Bank Cheque Account in 2016 May at the Claremont Branch in Cape Town and was advised that I would be able to use this account to open an overdraft as well. Nothing has been done in respect of the overdraft and everytime i go to the bank personally always getting excuses.

I tried to open up internet banking as well and also struggling with that as well.

I see on my account that charges are being deducted for Wills & Trust yet Absa Bank does not have any will of mine because i have a copy of my Last Will & Testament with my Attorney so how can they charge me for something i have not authorised?

I advised about the new product that the bank offers, and I was very much interested in the product.I went to the Boulders branch on a Saturday with my document, ID, Proof of Res and Settlement Letters.When I get to the branch I was welcomed by a host and she checked my document and she advised that all is in order, She took me to the waiting area where I waited about 2 hour, and finally when I get to the consultant I was told I had wrong documents after having to wait that long I was sent away.I then went to a different branch in town I think it is the Absa towers branch and the same incident happened, I was ignored even, I did not get help the consultant advised she does not know the product I was talking about, And I can not be assisted because she was getting an error message, She can not proceed to the next screen, She advised that she will sort it out and get back to me with an out come the following days, This was 2 weeks ago and I still have not heard from her.I tried to go the branch again to try and get things sorted, I got to the branch I was advised my ID was blocked by another consultant by the name Tumi Komane and unfortunately there is not much that the branch can help me with as they can not get hold of the lady because no remarks were updated, The consultant that was assisting me could not hide the fact that I was wasting his time because he wanted to make sales, He wanted to get ride of me because of my query.I can not believe that no one is able to assist me.The service at Absa bank is shocking .

I have a personal savings account with ABSA Bank [protected] for the past 15 years. I have started a registered business in December 2016 and was refused a cheque account for some reasons. However, ABSA opened me a Business Savings Account [protected] which I operated for 6 months. As my SMME business was starting to grow, I approached my suppliers for account facilities. ABSA will not give my suppliers any rating on my account as it is a Savings Account. My question is ; why does ABSA offer a product for businesses which is not beneficial to their clients? Now after 6 months, I once again approached ABSA Cresta to open a Cheque account, which was opened on 17 June 2017 [protected]. I requested an over-draft facility which was denied, stating that my account is recent. My concern is, what about the past 6 months I operated this Savings Account? Can they not see how I conducted my Savings account instead of me waiting another 6 months for them to evaluate my good performance. My personal account of 10 years of good conduct also seems worthless to ABSA.

I am struggling for over 4 months now to submit a disability claim. I sent all the relevant information to the credit card department. I tried to phone to find out what the feedback is on my claim but am holding on for 10 min plus with no one that ever answer. Also sent a lot of emails to try and get feedback, with no luck. Now credit card department phone me al the time to get money from me. Don't know if they don't understand the term disability claim but the more I try and explain that I am not employed any more because of a disability the more they ask when am I going to pay. I am not going to pay because I do have "Credit life" protection with Absa and they must finalise my claim. Really don't see the reason why it take so long. Had the same protection by other companies and claims didn't take longer than a month? Please call me on [protected] to resolve this.

On 19 June 2017, I called Fraud line to get my online banking reactivated after doing a sim swap. It took 16 minutes for the phone to be answered. Then, the call was cut after speaking for 3 minutes. I could not call again as my airtime was depleted.
On 20 June 2017 I called again from a landline and was cut off after being put on hold for 19 minutes.
*111# is not working for me to buy more airtime. I cannot buy airtime via online banking since the sim swap error comes up and prevents me from doing it.

This has not been resolved from Nov '16. I sent all my doc's thru 7 times. I am too upset to repeat myself again.

GOD Please give me strength...

GOD Please give me strength...

GOD Please give me strength...
GOD Please give me strength...

4550 [protected]

Too m any names to mention, as stated SINCE NOV 2016.

Cannot get anywhere with Isobel Paulsen, today dealt with Samanta Verasammy.

I discovered a monthly debit of R59 for an ABSA service I specified in writing I did not want has been taken from my account since 2014. I lodged a complaint at the end of May 2017 but my emails remain unanswered, I have tried phoning the complaints "resolution suite" and am put on hold for 25 minutes or told the only person who can help is unavailable and the Claremont branch in Cape Town (who made the assurance that no further debits would be made in 2014) have provided no support. ABSA's website assures customers their complaints will be "treated with dignity and respect" and that they will receive a "quick and appropriate response" both of which seem quite extraordinary given their complete lack of professionalism regarding this matter over the last two weeks. As I have documentation to show I specified that I did not want this service it appears quite straightforward ie I should be reimbursed for the money they were not authorised to debit since 2014. I've stayed with the bank for twenty years but I don't want to continue banking with a company that treats their customers in such a disrespectful way.

I have bought a car in 2013 and ABSA is financing me. I have paid all my installments monthly not single month did I not pay. Last year I applied for debt review through debt counsellor as I was financial struggling. Since then I have been paying through debt counsellor every month the agreed amount. I never received any calls or letters or complaints from the bank regarding my debt review issue. Until last week Thursday 8/6/17 afternoon when a gentleman who us a collector from ABSA came to my work place to convince me that I must sign voluntary not sure it's section what. This gentleman also came back yesterday Tuesday 13/6/17 telling me I'm owing the bank and amount of 30 000 and something but I can pay 15000 and something yesterday money which I don't have, then on my pay day must pay the normal installment amount then the rest of the outstanding balance must be paid within 6 months. I asked what is this money for he said the debt counsellor never paid. I then requested copy of the documents he was reading all this from so to also forward to debt counsellor and I informed him I have never received any correspondence from ABSA. He then said he will not give me the documents there is no need I should just sign the voluntary section thing that I don't understand and they will come and take my car and sell it to an auction. Then I might be lucky and not owe the bank or not and owe the bank. He then wanted me to show him the car as he needs to see it and take pictures of its condition. Only today I received an email from the bank with correspondence of a letter which they saying they sent it to me and the debt counsellor before saying they cancelling the debt review contract for my vehicle. The collector guys has been harassing me at my work place, calling my work place and my cell phone every minute he gets. I feel I have been unfairly been treated by the bank which I trusted with my life and it's not like this is my first car this is my second one and both of them they are the ones financing me. I need help regarding this matter.

On the 25th of January 2017 i was mugged and i lost all my important belongings including my Identity green book ID ********** 331089 and i reported it at home affairs and made a new one however i came to the shock of my life on 17th May 2017 when i received a electronic statement via email from Absa Bank saying that's my May 2017 statement of which i have never opened any account with absa neither was i aware of such till that day. On 18.05.2017 at 08.30am i was already at one of the Absa branches in Ghandi Square to query this and find out what exactly is going on. I got to the customer services side and i then explained to the lady what my query was she was shocked too asked fopr my ID smart card which i gave which matched the details of the stolen ID ofcourse and bang it appeared on their system the person who got hold of the old ID had taken out my old picture and put hers and used it to open an account with Absa which in my understanding its fraud and identity theft because this woman used all my details but however not my cellphone details and was informed she opened a personal account in February 2017 of which i asked questions if they do not have a verification fingerprint system like most banks i did not get solid answers because if this was the case the branch she opened the account in (Malvern or Jeepestown) as i remember would have picked this up especially via our fingerprints and signature. I asked for the details of which i was not given and was told they cant give me anything until investigation was done. How the hell does Absa allow criminals to use their services especially for fraud ? Can i please get answers because today i am a victim of fraud and identity theft especially with a logo ("Today, tomorrow, together") this to me raises serious concerns if whoever helped this person was also part of the fraud. I was told they will freeze the account and no i shouldn't worry they will catch the suspect i even asked the lady how so she explained that obviously she will try withdrawing money from the atm outside and will be forced to go inside that's how they will catch her i even said xall i need is that ID back for me to stop all of this BECAUSE IT RIGHTFULL AND TRUTHFULLY BELONGS TO ME. She informed me they will send it to the fraud investigation department i should allow 2 weeks for a response or she will call me. I haven't got an ounce of sleep in me ever since and worse i am beyond disgusting in Absa for allowing and accomodating such. Today date 24.05.2017 at 12.12pm i received a call from someone who was not proffesional and claimed they are calling from the fraud department of Absa this person said his name is Baroko or Baroke something like that but was asking me so many questions and stuttering which again did not put me at ease because it made me feel like i might be talking to the people connected to this he was even speaking vanac Setswana if not Sepedi along those lines using an 013code number i even asked this person if he has solid feeback he said no he just received the case today and i then proceeded to ask if the suspect has not tried withdrawing or something he said went to the atm in Kempton park he sees but all this sounded very shady can someone take responsibility for this because my name and identity is now in the mud. Please note i even wrote this on hello peter. Then After the run over i have gotten always calling the Absa fraud number to follow up the case and being told different names of people handling the case and since no one has called me or texted me with relavant feedback to put me at ease or bring hope since i was the one who has been failed by your bank Absa. Since the 18.05.2017 i opened this case and was told to wait for 2 weeks no one has bothered. on the 01.06.2017 i ended up going to one of the branches in Westgate Mall and spoke to the manager explaning my query and case which she was helpful yes and asked one of her consultants to follow up my case for me. Unbelievable i was told the case was closed by someone from the fraud department on the 25.05.2017 of which just on the 31.05.2017 i called the Absa fraud number and was told a certain person was handling my case and will call me. What makes me disgusted by Absa is no one bothered to call me and give me the feedback i had been waiting for absolutely nothing only to find out after going to another branch taking time of work to be able to get to the bottom of all this.On top of it to be told the case was closed and the suspect's account was closed and this is because i decided to go on media and write about it so is this sthe reason why no one bothered to call me or find the importance of this no sense of urgency THIS IS EXTREMELY APPALING THEN BEING TOLD NO INFORMATION CAN BE REVEALED TO ME AS IF I AM THE ONE WENT ON AND STOLE SOMEONE'S ELSE IDENTITY AND OPENED AN ACCOUNT WITH YOURSELVES YET I AM THYE VICTIM. I WAS TOLD THE ONLY WAY ANYTHING CAN BE REVEALED TO ME IS IF THE COPS COME WITH SOME DOCUMENT INTO THE BRANCH. I s this how business is done at Absa?! I then received a call and was told it was closed then i check my emails today 14.06.2017 and i see i received a statement again from Absa and its for June and the amounts from the last i received are different so clearly i am the fool after all the trouble and nightmare i am going through.

Hi good day. 

Today I am filled with anger at absa bank. The one and only bank that I have been banking with for years  . 

I cannot calm myself down for all the money I have lost over the years. That amounts to r3000+ per year. 
I am so  disapointed in how absa treats there loyal clients and I consider myself as being one. 

Today dated 2017/06/13. I went to enquire as to why my bank charges is r230-00 per month on my silver cheque account meanwhile new clients pay r98-00 on there gold cheque account. To my surprise the consultant told me this is an old account and have never been changed. When I questioned her on how is it possible for old loyal clients to pay more for a less valued account than new clients on a way better account, she could not explain other then blaming me for never contacting absa to change my account. 

I then enquired by her about a r24-00 that is being debited by absa every month, that I have no idea what that money is for. Her explation was that it is a credit life insurance for my overdraft account. I then informed her that I do not have an overdraft on my account. Again this money has been deducting from my account for years and I always assumed that it is bank charges or something to do with bank charges.  she then could not explain as to why absa and is deducting for a overdraft that do not exist. 

I then enquired about the absa banking app. And she replies that i'm already registered. I informed her that I have never used internet banking nor the banking app and that my wife is always on my case for being ancient and that I should do internet banking.  so I do not know who registered me for internet banking if I never used it nor registered for it. She could also not assist with registering me because of the call centre thats busy. 

I then left the branch. Shortly after I left the branch I used my bank account and noticed a r100-00 missing in my account. I quickly rushed back to the branch and I was then informed that, that is the charges for my new account. I asked her why did you not inform me that I am going to pay again after absa already took money from me at the beginning of the month and now again bank charges. How is it possible if it's not even a new month yet? That means absa took r350-00 from me for the month? Really? Am I then a rich man to throw away money?  

I cannot believe what has happened to me and my anger cannot be expressed in words. 

So my question is now. 
1) am I going to get my money back that absa has been taking from me 
2) is there someone competent to assist me with the banking app. 

Or should I just move my bank account?  

Eugene nel 

On the 9 June 17; my Mother had a car breakdown (572km away from her home); she called absa insurance as her insurer at 14:30 she was sent from pillar to post and even rude by Michelle/Mitchell the consultant.

She said she arranged the tow car & courtesy car.

At 16:00 I called my Mother to find out if she has been assisted & has the tow car arrived to my surprise they have not called her and nor tow car as well and no reference number given. I called the insurer to ask about the progress about the reported incident; I had to start from scratch to explain what happened and put on hold for over 10 minutes; and eventually told all has been arranged the tow car will be there in no time. at 18:00 i followed up to my surprise none has been done nor tow car nor courtesy car nor accommodation arranged; I had to recount what has happened & they kept quoting policy documents and told us its after hours they will take the vehicle to a safe place whereas the initial call was at 14:30. I requested to speak to their Supervisor; who all of a sudden was not around; I requested copy of the document they kept referring to they said they'll send it on monday as they dont have it (my question is what are you refering to if you dont have a copy ofpolicy in front of you); I requested the recordings I'm told he doesn't know the process to acquire them but will pass the message to the supervisor. Today (12 June 17) I receive an email from Melissa she said she will send the documents & listen to the recording and provide a feedback. A while later she responds that she is not at liberty to provide me with the recording but she has listened to the recordings and the first call arrived at 16:03 not at 14:30. I said if that's the case send them "we might have mistaken the time for 14:30 instead of 16:03" she said we should rather have a recorded telephone conversation also she cannot provide me with the recording but give them to my mother, I asked her how are the recording going to be sent is it via email? because my Mother has no email & I'm acting on behalf of my Mother. Till now I have not received any response/answers to my questions nor received the policy documents they used as point of reference cause clearly they are different to what we have.

I will never recommend Absa insurance to anyone; all they are interested is monthly premiums time to deliver on their promise they fail; lack professionalism in dealing with customers & lack integrity. If only they can learn that customer is KING can make or break their business.

I had one of the most distasteful experience as a customer this morning from one of your bank's uncouth staff. There was an issue I had while withdrawing on the 9th of June, 2017 because I mistakenly forgot to take the cash the ATM had dispensed at the Stellenbosch Student Centre branch. I called the helpline and was courteously referred to visit my branch to lodge my complaint so that my case can be looked into. Upon visiting the Stellenbosch University Student branch on the 10th of June, 2017, I met a lady at the Customer Service Desk and explained the situation. She checked her system and adamantly mentioned that there was nothing that could be done because the ATM states that I received the cash. I tried to persuade her to kindly lodge a complaint so it can be looked into, mentioning that this could be a fraud case. She responded in the most unprofessional way, telling me in her words that "I lacked focus that is why I forgot to pick my cash and that I should go and read my terms and conditions that was given to me when I was signing up for the account" .

This response obviously lacks emotional intelligence and it's very disappointing. I even mentioned to her that it's not in her place to tell me that I lacked focus because at that time she had no idea what I was going through. I am very displeased.

Even if the funds cannot be gotten, there are more sophisticated ways to talk to customers. I am equally a professional banker from Nigeria for four years and would never speak to a client like that because they are the reason why we are in business.

ABSA please train your staff on emotional intelligence and courtesy. This is indeed sad for an acclaimed "SA's best bank in service excellence" . What I have experienced so far is the absolute opposite.

Thanks.