Poor Standard of care

Standard Bank recently announced it is closing 91 branches. I believe the process must have started with retrenching all persons who answer its telephones.

I received an SMS on Tuesday April 30 advising me that a relatively small amount had been taken from my account by a debit order. I had no knowledge of this matter and phoned the number given in the SMS — an 0860 number, which rang for 21 minutes, during which I had to listen to Standard Bank adverts ad nauseam.

When somebody finally picked up and I gave my reason for calling, the lady advised me she would log my call and give me a reference number, and I would also receive an SMS. When I received the SMS it said: “Service request 7023887463 is now open. Queries? 0860-123-000.”

Does Standard Bank really think anybody will try calling another Standard Bank 0860 number? Obviously, I must go to my branch — if it still exists!

Tom Lambe, Oakdene

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