ABSA Bank
reviews and complaints

Good day,

Please could you explain to me why my account will not allow me to buy prepaid anything via internet banking?

It allows me to add the beneficiary and go through all the steps. Once I say buy it says transactions unsuccessful due to account error. I obviously will not attempt this with no funds in my account.

Your assistance in would be appreciated.

Regards

1/ 15/2017

I have been waiting for the hold on my card to be removed for 4 working days. Each consultant I speak to gives me a completely different answer. 3 consultants have told me since monday they will call me back - NO ONE has called me, no one has mailed me back . It shows on the system al lmy documents have been verified and received. But I can not use my new credit card. its been 4 wokring days. this is after I had to wait 7 working days for my card.

I have been with FNB for 15 years and decided to give absa a try! such a disappointment so far!

ref [protected]

Dear Sir / Madam

Several conversations between myself, Absa Vehicle Finance, Absa Vehicle Insurance and Absa I-Direct has reference.
My vehicle (Mitsubishi Triton, 3.5 bakkie, registration XNT916GP) was financed by ABSA Vehicle Finance. The financed amount has in the mean time been paid in full (November 2016).
After enquiring it was confirmed that when this happens my insurance also automatically expires or is cancelled.
What was certain, is that I was informed that whilst a vehicle is under finance, it is mandatory that the vehicle is insured.
Saying this the following sequence of events;
a. My vehicle was involved in an accident that took place April last year (2016) near Kimberley.
b. Myself and the other involved party exchanged insurance details and reported the incident at SAPS.
c. I recently received a legal notice that I need to pay for the vehicle damage of the party involved.
d. I enquired by ABSA Vehicle Insurance regarding the matter, since I was 100% under the impression that my ABSA Vehicle Insurance would handle this matter.
e. I was informed that I switched over to ABSA I Direct in 2011 and that I was no longer covered by ABSA Asset Insurance Protection (AIP)since then.
f. Furthermore I was informed that my ABSA I Direct insurance was cancelled by them due to the fact that two of my Debit Orders was returned during April and May 2014 respectively. The insurance claims that they have notified me via SMS that my insurance was cancelled.

Taking cognizance of the above I lodge the following complaints:
- It was with enormous effort that I eventually (being referred from one call center to another) discovered that I was no longer insured by ABSA I Direct since May 2014 due to returned debit Orders.
- I am a business man that travels a lot and receive hundreds of SMS's ranging from spam, advertisements, telemarketing to private messages etc... and it may happen that some messages are lost in the process.
- The fact that I was informed by an SMS (that ABSA I Direct claims) sent to me, does not necessarily mean that I have received it... I would thought that their would have been more formal communication in this regard?
- Also when eventually speaking to an ABSA I Direct consultant it was clear that this person was not interested in listening to my explanation and repeatedly referred to the "clients responsibility".
- As I observed and continuously monitored my premiums. My vehicle payments went through constantly every month as one amount and for that reason I never had any reason to doubt that my vehicle was insured.
- The absolute rudeness and don't care attitude experienced during my telephone conversations with your operators are not only disappointing, but so unprofessional that myself as a loyal ABSA client for more than 20 years are disgusted in your so called professional service delivery.
- Why is their no communication between ABSA I Direct and ABSA Vehicle Finance (despite the fact that ABSA Vehicle Insurance is well aware that my insurance was cancelled and that I had no insurance since 2014?).
Your consultants informed me that is mandatory that vehicles under finance must be insured?
- Surely, after cancelling my policy ABSA Vehicle Finance should have been notified and enquired about this?
- All I am experiencing is an attitude of "this is not our problem..."
- I have continuously tried to contact the ABSA helpline and the complaints Department, but to no avail. Again - how convenient. Is this also a costumer responsibility to ensure that your helplines are operational and effective?
- From a loyal client perspective I am deeply disappointed, not only with the attitude displayed towards clients, but in your ability to manage client portfolios and to communicate between departments?
- I would like to urge you to provide me with a quotation to re-install my insurance and accept responsibility for this miscommunication that took place and assist me settling the claim against me.

I am sure that you will show some sort of understanding towards the fact that my vehicle was insured by you and that you should have at least attempted to follow up on this matter in a more formal manner, knowing my vehicle is under finance by you and must be insured.

I insist that you assist me with the claim registered against me and accept responsibility for the your poor communication effort and lack of taking responsibility.

Awaiting your speedy reply.

Regards.

Tony Tverdon, cell: [protected], e-mail: tony .[protected]@za.saabgroup.com, Id no: [protected]

Absa wants to increase my monthly service fee on my home loan number [protected] from r 7-00 to r 22-00..This is an increase of more than 200%, which is totally unacceptable as inflation is around 6.5%
kindly maintain my rate at r7-00 or a minimum increase.
If this is not possible i will lodge a complaint with the bank ombudsman and also go to the media.
Regards
umesh vassen

22/01/2016
Acc nr [protected]

Account was supposed to have been closed by Jacques May
Now everytime we get calls to say the account is in arrears

We kept sending emails and even visited the bank.

Until today they not yet resolved the issue.

Please advise why this account has not been closed because this
is already a year that has passed and this is not on

This is becoming a hassle for us

Mr JHL Seyffert

On 13th December I took all necessary documents to open an account for my minor son at ABSA Braamfontein. I spent nearly 2 hours at the branch and Mr H Masala assisted me with the process. He told me the account was finalised etc. and I could go to any branch to collect it. Please note my proof of residence and other documents were provided and thus I was fica'ed. I could not wait any longer because I had ro return to work.

On 14 January 2017 I went to the Cresta branch and waited almost an hour to collect my son's card but the lady who assisted me said I was not fica'ed and she could not give me a card. This was emotionally draining because I spent a total of 3 hours at two branches and I do not have the time to do this again.

The ROA Reference Number is [protected] and the account was for my son Xerxes Walker (ID [protected]). I have signed all the necessary forms and submitted certified documents. I would like my son's card to be delivered to me.

As an ABSA client for many years I am very disappointed about this situation.

Zaheera Walker
[protected]

I am so hopeless. I have been with my payments in arrears which has caused my divorce and financial difficulty the few months I came to bank few time tried to talk to them I was decline every time, not surprised. I tried to even pay as we agreed with the lady from call center but she or someone without any notification they handed me over to attorneys, that wont be the worst case now I am on the phone as writing, I spoke with 5 different people they were transferring me to another people as everyone says I am not dealing with this, the problem is now they gave the legal department umber I got picture on the landline I am literally waiting if someone will eventually pick up the number for 15 minutes nothing tried few time nothing. I want to pay my arrears but no one here to assist me but to send notification to credit bureau that you know how, I am so sick of this service no knowledge no experience no one here to assist for what do you have phone ABSA if no one is there working oh sorry I forgot it is Friday? very unprofessional Attaching picture I gave up there is no response just ringing

Good day.

Ive lodge complains to absa since 12 june 2016. They don't even bother to phone or email me back. Ive sent numerous emails to them and I only receive the auto reply email. I have all the emails about my complains and me practically begging them to phone me back. A short version of what happend is there was a claim lodge and for 3 days the contracters had to come back and fix their mistakes in resulting my personal belongings being damaged. They appointed incompetent contractors and because off their lack of skills my personal belongings were damaged. I have a detailed email of the incidents and all the mails ive sent since the incident. Geroldine

To who it might concern 

Myself and my husband has been with absa for more than 17 years. 

We have never claimed.

Now that we claim in 17 years, we have to wait months. Our house got flooded on the 11-11-2016

We got ALL the quotations out of our pockets for all the cupboards that need to be replaced in the house, the doors, the carpets., the ceiling in the bathroom and the paint of the rooms that got wall water damage.

Everything was done in one and a half weeks after the flood.

Today is the 11th of January 2017 and only after a had to send Bheki the assessor alot of emails i was only told that now other companies must come and give quotations.

After Bheki said a cash settlement  will be paid to us, so that we could fix this place.

Everything smells and rots, and we have to stay like this for almost 3 months.

This is unacceptable to us, and we will take this matter further, even if we have to take it to social media.

We want some answers. We want to know when our house will be fix.

No more delays, no more quotations no more nothing.

We are very upset and its unacceptable. 

On 4/1/2017 my house was flooded after an huge rainstorm. I lodge a complain on 5/1/2017. They promised I will be contacted by an assessor. I phone everyday to follow- up on the claim. Everyday they promise the assessor will phone you, but this never happen.
Every time you phone you hear the same, the assessor wil contact you. You should think that they will understand, that you were traumatised and that your stress levels are very high. You think that they will support you to make life easier, but they dont care. Absa insurance know that the assessors have all the power over your claim..
They don't care about customer service, they know you can do nothing without the assessors and therefore you can wait they don't care.

Hi,

I have been trying to transfer money from south africa to australia. From my own bank account to my own bank account in australia. The level of incompetence, slowness and deliberate rudeness has been incredible.

I requested to have access to my account and have been denied internet banking.. I was asked to complete a form to move maintenance money to australia. I am not being helped at all and now the source of the money is being questioned.

Absa was involved throughout my financial emigration process. All the content and amounts were declared. What has the bank done with my information?

Please can I have direct feedback as soon as possible.

Kind regards
Isabeau korpel

I've transfered funds from my current account to credit card. I am not able to do online payments such as LinkedIn or the British Council. I also cannot see my credit card under my profile on Internet banking but I can see it under the accounts section. Previously I could manage my credit card online under profile, manage online services, limits, but now my credit card does not even show up, it's only my debit card. I phoned the internet banking number as I thought it was a technical issue, they transferred me to credit card department, the credit card department transferred me back to the internet banking department, then again back to credit card, then the credit card transferred me to the 3D secure department, which said everything is fine and that it has something to do with the actual credit card. But the credit card department can't help. I was on this call going back and forth without any positive outcome for an hour and a half. I would appreciate it if someone can phone me and sort this out please, as this is unacceptable service from ABSA, I really expected more but I guess that's becoming the norm for all South African services to be poorly organized and too lazy to help properly.

I opened an account at Absa as a student and realized a few months down the line that the fees were to much. I thought I should close the account with Absa and go open at Standard bank. I went into their branch to complain and close the account, and was told there is a mistake as the account was opened as a normal cheque account not as a student's account. I was then promised that the mistake will be rectified, but a few months later the fees were still the same. When I went in to complain again I was told the lady who was helping me when I came in to complain was suspended and I will be refunded for the months incorrect bank charges. When I asked why only one month I was told I complained late.

Good day, on 30 December 2016 I went to ABSA Santyger and had to wait for 45minutes to be assisted at Customer Services. There was only one person assisting a whole line of people waiting. I was forced to be there, for I was informed via sms that my debit card is going to expire and I needed to get a replacement card. Little did I know that my account would be debited with R100.00, for a replacement, requested/required by the Bank, and not by myself.
If you look at my credit card account with ABSA, as well as my personal loan account, you will notice that I am on debt review, and cannot afford such expenses as having to pay R100.00 for admin fees due to a request to be adhered to by ABSA? I was honoring the request and now had to pay for it. You'll also notice that the R100.00 could not be deducted from my savings account, due to me not having funds available - due to my current financial situation.
Kindly credit my savings account with R100.00 as I truly feel highly disappointed about this fee being charged.
Thank you, and regards
Mrs AH Friedman

There is a person who claims to be imran or farhad randeree. He has an absa banking account with the account no. [protected]. He uses the email [protected]@gmail.Com. He falsely advertises timeshare units on the internet- eg. Gumtree and olyx. He then "sells" these units to unsuspecting buyers who pay him via eft into the above account. He thens sends them a "false" guest certificate and he quickly withdraws the money from the above account. He conned my sister on friday- 9th decemfer 2016. When my sister went to an absa branch early on saturday 10 th december to inform them of the situation and asking them to freeze his account, until she lodges a complaint with her bank, they refused to do so. We suspect he is working with people within the bank to have the money cleared soonest so that he can withdraw the money. We have found out the he has now scammed more people using the same banking details.
It is in the best interest of all parties for absa to freeze the above account immediately and investigate the above account holder for fraud. Under the fica act, absa must have his id copy and proof of address. We will be reporting the above matter to the ombudsman of banking on tuesday 3rd january 2017.
Please contact me on cell- [protected] for further details. Thanks- ismail.

31 december 2016.

I was at absa bank at katlehong, I got there at the bank at 09:30 because I want to withdraw my stop order money inside the bank.

First the security I told him what I wented to do he sent me to the wrong line, I was following 6 people after me, when they attended me, the consultant said I was at the wrong cue, he then sent me to another cue were by I told him am late for work I have to be at work as in yeaterday, he said there's nothing he can do.

Where he sent me I was the 8th person and only one consultant was helping. It's now 10:48 and still I have not been attended and what's worse the consultant takes 30 minutes helping one customer and still am following 6 people before who have not been attended.

I have never received such poor and slow service from the bank.

After today am changing banks and going to capitech atleast their servie is fast and efficient.

I seriously dont understand how a bank can have one consultant operating on december time.

Nxaaaa poor serviceman's

Further about ABSA's, 3D being off line and Multichoice, herewith more problems and nobody bothers to reply, what sort of a banking institution are you? As you will see the thread I have complained several times about my Avios that are missing and I am still awaiting a reply. Hence you will see how aggravated I am over the way the bank handles the matter, just slapgat, their help line never knows anything, even going into their Norwood branch, the teller gets the reference number wrong every time. These have cost me money to rectify and ABSA has not made good to me.

Then I am really perturbed about my AVIOS credits which do not tie up with my spend an example this account is worth 859 avios and the prior statement was similar number yet it does not reflect any where near what is due under the agreement of R7.50 per 1 Avios.

Now we have a problem for a third time with Multichoice where I am not being able to make payments over the internet, because ABSA's 3D system is out of action since last Friday, 23rd Dec, and still at 29th Dec still off so I cannot pay my subscription. the call center cannot help they say they have complained and nothing happened.
Just the most useless bank and British Airways supports them with the credit cards they issue. ABSA is part of Barclays Bank internationally.

Frieda Joubert 10 Junie 1964

Geagte Lesers Kontak na 14:00 alleen.

1) Dit is baie belangrik dat die Bestuurder van die ABSA Groep wat deel met invorderings my persoonlik telefonies kontak te Sel no.[protected]

Die klagtes is as volg en ek verwag optredes teenoor die partye wat met my rekening deel. Die individue kontak my 4 tot 5 keer 'n maand en ek betaal elke maand soos ooreengekom met ABSA.

Dit is duidelik dat ek geintimideer word en dus verlang ek stappe teenoor die individuee.

Ek het tot hede geensins nie my verpligtinge nagekom nie en ek verlang dat die ABSA groep my ook 'n gedetalieerde rekeningstaat voorsien vanf 2010.

Ek verwag terugvoering binne 21 dae asb.

Vanaf Mev Frieda Joubert

Claim number [protected]*001*002
My complain is that my vehicle initial cover was reduced, while the premium kept on increasing, this unfortunate situation happened without any notification. I never received any document or mail regarding this policy from the bank because my address was wrongly captured, i only discovered the wrongly captured address, when i was contacted by Cape town assessor, while i am based in limpopo, after i explained to him that i am living in limpopo, he then told me that the address on my policy was wrongly captured, that's why Absa bank appointed a person in Cape Town, that`s the reason i never received a mail about my policy. i therefore believe i was paying more premium, for less cover.

i would request a refund on the overpayment of premiums. The second issue is about the assessor wo penalized me 48.5% prejudice, that i do not understand where it comes from. The amount that i am suppose to receive is being reduced by a whopping R20 000.00 penalty. The practice is very unfair.

Absa charges me about R250 or so a month for card purchases amongst others, earlier this year I took a loan of R20, 000 and was told I was to pay R883, 98 p/m but I've been paying R960 plus earlier today I transferred the last R181, 46 from my Capitec account but to my surprise I had R163 coupler cents... why is ups hiding these fees because I don't know of them WHY?