ABSA Bank
reviews and complaints

To whom it may concern

My name is Roland Rice and my wife's name is Jackie Rice. I'd like to explain an unfortunate incident we recently experienced with ABSA bank home loans division.

I'd like to start from the beginning. In March of 2020 my wife and I put in an offer for a unit in an estate in Assagay. Long before this my wife was on debt counseling but had managed to conclude and qwell her debt and had herself removed off of debt counseling in 2019. In doing so this put us into a position to be able to buy our first home using our combined incomes and applying for a joint loan.

All of this went very smoothly and we were granted a 100% loan on the accepted offer which was R1150000. The property was evaluated by ABSA bank and the property value was registered at R1400000. We did take a personal loan from FNB Bank in order to cover the transfer and attorney fees which we weren't to concerned about as we were told by everyone that we dealt with at ABSA Bank that we would be able to obtain the difference of R250000 when ever we needed it to be able to consolidate any debt we had incurred whether it be from personal loans, revolving debt, or just savings spent on fixing up the unit. At no point was it stressed that there would be any checks of any kind or anything really that would or could prevent us from acquiring said money.

So my wife and I used our revolving debt, to fix up the property as it needed a lot of work in order to make it livable as the previous tenant that had lived there for the past 12 years literally did not care to look after the unit at all. But again we were not stressed about using our credit facilities that we had available to us as we were assured that we would have access without any issues to the R250000 and that we would be able to consolidate all of our debt that had been incurred from fixing up our place and paying for attorney and transfer costs.

By September of 2020 we had completely renevated the unit and decided that we would put in the application for the re-advance (R250000) so we could qwell all of our debt. And that's when all the fun began. I had an ongoing dispute with telkom over money that they believed I owed them but I in fact did not. I had had countless debt collecting companies contacting me for the money but I disputed with every single company explaining that I didn't owe the money and I sent them all the relevant information, emails, invoices, etc, pertaining to the case at which point they would stop perusing me. So now applying for the re-advance from ABSA they picked up the issue with Telkom and they declined our application. I was flabagasted, shocked as I was under the impression that we simply were just going to need to apply for it and receive it. So in the following months I pushed and pushed and fought with Telkom to resolve the issue at which point they finally agreed that I was correct regarding the whole matter and reduced the amount owed at which point I was just happy to settle so as to be able to reapply for the re-advance from ABSA bank. ABSA bank also explained that we should only reapply for the re-advance in 3 months time. Again I was shocked but just accepted it for what it was.

4 months passed, I had absolutely nothing against my name, credit score looking fair, even sold my car to free up funds to now pay off the debt that I had incurred and both my wife and I were really starting to feel the pinch because of all the repayments we now had on all the debt we had incurred. So we decided that now would be a good time to reapply for the re-advance. So we did thinking that there is absolutely nothing that could possibly prevent us from acquiring the money to solve all of our financial problems. The first time we applied online, which I thought was a mistake and thought it best we rather speak with a home loan consultant in person and put forward our intentions about using the money to consolidate all of our debt and possibly have the consultant understand our problem and hopefully offer some assistance regarding the issue. I mean I honestly didn't think begging for the money was ever going to be a reality as it was promised to us really, with no chance of there ever being an issue in order to obtain it. The consultant requested for all the relevant information required and said that she would request for any further information, paperwork if she required it. 3 days later we hear that our application has been declined yet again, AGAIN. The reason, because my wife is on debt counseling. True story, no lies. How we ever qualified for the joint home loan in the first place, I just don't know. Honestly that was their reason. So I contacted all that were involved with the application and asked this very question and also asked why weren't we contacted for proof of her possibly getting off of debt counseling if they in fact believed that she still was under debt counseling. I received a very nervous call saying how sorry they were and that they should have requested for the information before declining the application. She said that she would use the paperwork I had given her proving my wife was no longer on debt counseling and use it as motivation and reinstate the application. I felt like I could breathe again as I was certain the next email from them was going to say that my application had been accepted and we'd receive the money but alas I was informed that the application was still declined and the reason, yes you guessed it, we were still under debt counseling.

Its felt good writing this and getting it off my shoulders but in all honesty I feel absolutely defeated, broken. The sleepless nights I've had stressing about this, I'm honestly done, upset, and down right angry. I desperately want this to be resolved but I feel writing this isn't even going to help. ABSA bank to me is a joke now. I just feel as if they lied to my wife and I to capitalize and screw us over.

If anyone could assist and help organize us our re-advance of the full amount of R250000 it would be greatly appreciated.

Shot

Roland Ric

I have been a client of ABSA for the past +_15 years. ABSA has debited my account twice once last year April and again 29.01.21. I am highly dissatisfied with ABSA complacent behavior. ABSA does not know my budget. Furthermore i am under debt review on all my accounts get paid via npda. I want an immediate refund in my account.
This is illegal to deduct additional funds from a person's account if they are under debt review.

Hi, I have financed a 2018 Renault Kwid through ABSA financed on 23 December 2019. Now they are claiming that payment was not done for June 2020. I send them the proof of payment and still they are insisting hat I must pay the outstanding fee plus extra R200 and something to take my account off arrears. On their system it shows June and July 2020 payment was not received. I send them proof from June 2020 till January 2021. They claim now the money was reversed. I went to my bank (Capitec), and they showed me that no money was reversed because it would show on the statement. I want to know how do I resolve this matter because I'm tired of being fooled around. And why is ABSA doing this to their customers? Because I'm not the first person that they are doing this to. Can you assist or must I get a lawyer to take this matter further? My contact details is [protected].

Kind Regards
Miss. Franscis Williams

To Whom It May Concern.
This is to report my unhappiness and urgency in having the matter resolved for a car financed by ABSA bank. Absa approved to finance me a Kia Rio Tec 5DR from Juba Motors dealership on the 20/11/2020 with the following reference 94637584. This car was collected on the 21/11/2020 and shortly on the 27th November 2020 issues were picked up with the car. Among them, ball and socket joints, shocks (front and rear), front suspension, alignment, balancing, steering rack torn and tie rod joints. The Juba motors dealership was contacted, and it requested to bring the car at the dealership storeroom. A lot of excuses were provided by the dealership for not being available to attend to these issues for the entire month of December 2020 until when the December holiday kicked in.
The car was finally brought to the Juba dealership at the beginning on the 05th of January 2021 so that issues could be attended. It took two weeks with hope to address the matters. On the 27th of January 2021, the car was collected back from the dealership and to find out that the dealership did not attend to any of the above-mentioned issues.
ABSA bank that is financing the car was contacted immediately to report the matter. The follow-up and response from ABSA bank financing the car were not forthcoming. As a valuable ABSA bank client, I need a speedy resolution in cancelling my contract with the Juba Motors dealership since it is not trustworthy. On January 22nd, 2021, I sent an email to the ABSA Bank Marketer in charge of ensuring that the deal is cancelled, and I am yet to receive an acknowledgement at the time of lodging this complaint. On the 27th of January 2021, I walked inside the ABSA bank branch to address the matter, and the consultant on duty could not get hold of the ABSA bank marketer nor the line manager to assist in cancelling this contract.
This is not acceptable and a de-service on behalf of ABSA Bank given that the car is financed by ABSA and I am paying for the full installments and insurance for a faulty car from the Juba Motors dealership. I would like ABSA bank to attend to this matter urgently and cancel the contract with immediate effect. To note, there was not even a courtesy car provided by Juba Motors and I am one month to be precise without a car while being debited by ABSA. I would also approach ABSA bank to review its terms and conditions with Juba Motors, for its lack of trust and poor customer service.
I have provided a reference in the body of this complaint to get more details about the complainant.

Thank you.

My house was damaged in a hailstorm on the 18th November 2020 and I immediately registered my claim with claim number 3929992.
Since then, I have written emails to the various email addresses provided with important details, but have not received any response.
I have obtained and emailed quotes from two companies.
I have not once been contacted either telephonically or via email by the person assigned to my claim, Ms Kgomotso Dhlamini.
For various reason the mechanistic, arbitrary appointment of a construction company does not fix our problem.
A decision by AIC regarding roof and gutter repairs is also still outstanding, but no insurance assessor had been sent.
I will have to now pay for certain repairs out of my limited funds to avoid further damage to my house.

I'm so disgusted by the service u received at Absa Centurion mall. I was served by a Mary Sibeko on the 8th of January 2021
She has no customer service at all. She called me to come through, when I got to her desk she kept on doing her own stuff, communicating with her colleagues. 10 minutes later she left with another client leaving me alone for about 15 -20 minutes without any explanation. I decided to leave her desk and went back to the queue hoping I will be called by another consultant to be assisted. She came back called me to come back to her desk. She continued ignoring me, taking pictures of the son of the client that she left with. No apology or anything given. She continued taking pictures of the boy saying the boy looks like one of her boyfriend's. She ignored me for a further 10 minutes and attend to me without giving excuse. When she finished attending me, I told her I'm not happy about her service. All she said was " okay, sorry'. I'm honestly pissed. I don't think I will ever visit Absa Centurion mall

I went 2 the bank at East gate. The issue was the new blocked card. Spent more than 2hrs & discovered that the cards was still not working at the ATM refers me to the bank. Went back inside, I was sent from 1 teller to another as the excused was the system was not working properly, at some point I was told to wait next to the clients who was being serviced at the time while waiting for my issue to be resolved. The other teller at would leave me waiting while banding at her desk trying to sort filling destroying cards of the client who had left earlier. The bank about 2 close as my problem was still not resolved when Rangane promised to call me on the 24 Dec 2020. Till to date I am still waiting!

Good day,

This is a very unprofessional approach to tele marketing.
I've always been nice to tele amrketers or tried to because they are also just doing their job.

On the 11th of Dec 2020 a consultant called. I was pre approved for a credit limit increase on my credit card. This is wonderful news in light of the year we've been through, COVID, Financial struggles, worries etc. and to top it all its just before Christmas. R45K... My mind was racing as to all the little and big things we could do with a helping hand from ABSA.

The lady (can't remember her name) was super nice, explained to me, did a check on my cheque account for income and expenses. Your approved, you'll receive communication ASAP and your limit will be increased shortly. IF you review the tape and I'm wrong - apologies.

Next moment I receive a sms to say that the application was unsuccessful. Not a phone call, not and explanation - just a sms.
I call the number on the sms to ask why? and the reason was I do not qualify due to low income and insufficient funds. What a surprise, could hardly believe my ears. The consultant logged a call for a complaint, and the matter will be resolved... HOW? The consultant merely explained that I misunderstood the call of the 11th - what a great answer to give an upset client without even making sure what was said in the previous conversation.

This is very unprofessional, very sad and depressing and very bad timing - this being said I DIDN'T EVEN APPLY FOR A CREDIT INCREASE... False hope.

I've asked for all telephone offers or communication to be stopped immediately because I will not be answering any call relating to ABSA. If I have a problem/query I'll contact you.

I really hope this happened only to me and not to other people as well... although I doubt it.

Charne-Lee Smit

Good day

My car was reposed on the 3rd December 2020 I am under debt review for from February 2019 and ABSA Bank handed me over to the lawyers to repose the car and I am under debt review Oxygen debt review advised that I should settle the arrears so that I can get the car back however the lawyers advised that I should settle the full balance then I will get the car back.

They have give my until the 15 December 2020 to settle I would like to know on what basis was the account handed over to the lawyers as I am on debt review I never missed not even 1 payment since I find that the lawyer Tania Lutge is of no help she does not want to talk to me to find a solution all she says is that the car will be put on auction if I don't pay the full amount.

I have not received any letters that she claims she has sent please kindly advise who has been receiving these letters as she cannot tell me who signed for the letters.

I am very upset with ABSA bank I have been a client for many years and moved my accounts due to the poor service I received.

According to the national credit act if someone is under debt review and making payments to the debt review company the assets cannot be reposed can some sort out the mess.

can someone find a solution for the mess that was created by the bank as I have no car.

Kind Regards,
Lesley Morris
[protected]

Good day

I went to Verdi center absa branch to get my car papers which I have not received when I paid off my car in 2013 as the northcliff branch has closed down.

The assistant there did attempt to help but was told a long story by the call center.
I then contacted the complaints department and spoke to daisy thoaoane, was given a reference number, C08153091 and was told someone will call me to assist but nobody did.

I called again and tabatha shirley diole told me someone will assist me but I'm still waiting for a call back.

The service received from the organization is pathetic. I would like this matter to be finalized as soon as possible.

[protected] mortgage loan
HJ en AJ van der walt
Sanlam policies 44074113x0 and 44069718x3 was seeded for security
the bond is settled but the cessions is not cancelled on Sanlam record
yet

please send to Kemptonpark office to cancel the sessions from their side
regards
[protected]

I am an absa credit card client from 2007 till to date. On October 2020 I tried using credit card but it declined and I thought maybe I did something wrong and in November I tried twice and I got same result then I decided to call customer care line on 21 of November to found out the reason since I needed to use it. Surprisingly the response was that they blocked my card because I was still using Master card instead of Visa card, when I asked why I was not notified about this changes she just apologized which I think I was not enough because I believed I was robbed here because I was paying for that card every month not knowing that I'm paying for something that is blocked I believe absa can do better than this, when there is time to renew the expired card they call before the due date why I was not called for this? This really caused inconvenience on my side since depend on this card. I will be very happy if absa can pay back the amount of that I was paying as it was closed without me being notified.

I have been an ABSA customer for many years for my personal and business needs. I never defaulted on payments, never went over my limits, never had a bad credit record. Then 2020 gave us Covid-19. My wife was trying to start a small business in the liquor and tourism industry to support us when SA went into lockdown. Everyone knows that the liquor and tourism industries were hit the hardest. We have defaulted on everything due to a lack of income. My health, which was already on a decline, took a turn for the worst. I can no longer work or contribute to our financial burdens. I don't even have money to go for medical treatment to save my other leg.
ABSA gave us a brief period of relief, however, there is no more mercy. Not everyone made it out of the lockdown in one piece. Our lives have fallen to pieces. I have requested more relief, sent medical reports to confirm my medical condition and the fact that I am now permanently disabled and unable to walk. My wife has tried to contribute at least part of the premium for our vehicle finance so that we won't lose the car, but this is not good enough. We have a policy covering my personal loan, but this doesn't seem to work either. Is ABSA (and other financial institutions) treating all their customers in this way? Did we ask for OR expect Covid-19? The world has gone mad and the weak are trampled on and left to die.

I have made an eft payment to absa vehicle finance for the amount of R3400, on the 24/7/2020, I have been to absa branch called vehicle finance and they could not help although I provided proof of payment, the collection department is also not helpful stating they cannot see the payment although I have emailed thr proof,
My bank Nedbank did due deligence and found the funds went out of the account and did not return besides that the reference and account number has been the same on all the other payments they received,
Now I am noy being assisted bit being sent to and fro. Frustrating

I am writing to file a complaint regarding delay of processing my credit card. Its now taken one month and I do not have it and I am missing out on very important transactions. I still have no concrete feedback regarding where my card has reached. I submitted my request to Ntinda Branch.

My name is Timothy Kiyemba
ABSA Bank, Uganda
Account Number : [protected]

My name is Rachel Mamabolo, I lodged a Motor claim with Absa on the 8th of October, I was told I was going to be called after 48 hours by a claims assessor, of which a weeks went by without any one calling, then I called them to find out what was happening, they told me they are still working on it and they will urgently ask the assessor to give me a call of which he did not till today. It's weeks been almost a month now and when I can absa the agent tells me they have a back lock of claims, and promised I will get correspondence within 24 hours, 24 hours passed and still no one called. I'm still in the dark, no one calls and informs you of the process or apologies on the delay. Absa does not care about their clients need, it has been a month and I have no clue what is happening they keep on saying we will call you. Absa, you do not treat client fairly, you clearly fail on furnishing the client with information, which is the clients right and you do not have good customer service. You do not stick to your contractual agreement. I am very very disappointed...

I am totally frustrated with ABSA Bank in handling my request with no success. It ha been a few months and it has incurred serious financial constraints on my business. Help is non existent. A bank that I will no longer associate with. I have been dealing with Lorriane and had no success. My Title Deed has gone missing. It has been a few weeks that I signed documents requested and to date no application for a duplicate has been done.

I am now paying mora interest on the property that I have purchased because I cannot transfer my property concerned that I have sold.

Everyday my daughter is called on her cell phone or sms to say her account is in arrears. She does not now nor ever has banked with ABSA. We have tried contacting 0800414141 ABSA Complaint Resolution but to no avail. They have requested we go to the branch and speak to someone. Who will pay for her time off work and or my time? It was not her fault for the incorrect number used on the loan application or captured incorrectly. We will now go about getting a cease and desist issued against ABSA and invoice them for the attorneys letter.

I downloaded 3 months statements on my smart phone but it's not lying at my downloads. (I tried 3 times). Then I went and look at "my files" on my phone. Also not there. Then I went on my laptop. As soon as I log into my account, the whole page is blank. (I tried twice). Is there something wrong with absa online banking?

They must not deduct money from me for the downloads, because it's not working at all.

Please let me know what is going on asap as I need my 3 months statements!

Thank you

Antoinette Ekron
[protected]

On the 28 August 2020, I lodged a formal complaint to ABSA, after having received communication form their lawyers Brooks & Luyt, about a loan account that they claim I did not settle. Attached on the email was the proof of settlement on the two loan accounts I previously had with ABSA. The automated messages from ABSA stated that they would revert back within 3-5 working days, and 2 weeks later i'm still waiting for the issue to be resolved, worse even, nobody has even called me to shed light on the progress of the query. This morning, I received another threatening message from their lawyers, which means that in the two weeks that I have been waiting, ABSA did not even bother to engage their lawyers on the query that they received from me. Please note, a month after settling the loan with ABSA, they debited on one of the two accounts, needless to say, I queried and was refunded, not only the amount they had debited, but they paid more because they had overcharged on my settlement. Secondly, all my payments to the personal loans were done via debit order, ABSA cannot produce proof that I missed a single payment which led to me being handed over to their lawyers, furthermore, I was never engaged by ABSA for defaulting on payments, until I heard from their lawyers. I have been a client for 22 years, I currently even have a home loan with them and I find this type of treatment to be very unprofessional form ABSA. I need ABSA to explain how this blunder happened that I ended getting blacklisted by them via their lawyers. Furthermore, I need a written apology and compensation the reputational damage they have inflicted on me. My contact number is [protected]. The latest ref number I received from them is C-[protected].