Man's race to bank to stop account hacking in vain

10 September 2012

A GRAAFF-REINET man's bank account was wiped clean as he raced to the bank in a frantic effort to suspend his account.

Dwaine Warner, who runs his own business, said he was at home on Monday last week when he received an SMS informing him that someone had logged on to his internet banking account.

"I knew this could not be possible because I am the only one with access to my password. No one else has it because it's all in my head," Warner said. A few minutes later he received a phone call from Absa informing him that irregular activity had been detected on his bank account.

"They said someone had hacked my account. They said it was possibly someone from India and they asked if I knew anyone who could be accessing it. I decided to go to the bank immediately to suspend my account."

Warner rushed to the bank and, ignoring the queue, approached one of the staff members. "I told her that I needed to suspend my account because someone was hacking my account as we spoke.

"She told me to get back into the queue and wait to be seen. When I eventually got to her, she called customer care to suspend the account."

Warner claimed that during this time four cash-send payments were deducted from his account and one internet banking payment was made, literally wiping his account clean.

The hackers allegedly managed to siphon off R8020.

He said he had battled with Absa since to get his money back, but without success.

"I have to pay my employees. How am I going to buy diesel for my vehicle? How am I going to feed my family?"

Warner said he had lodged a complaint at the police station.

An Absa spokesman, who did not want to be named, said the disputed transactions were effected prior to Warner approaching the branch.

He said the investigation could take up to six weeks to complete. Compensation would depend on the outcome of the investigation.

Reader's Comments

Report Abuse Author: BigSus Date: 10 September 2012 11:22

This is an inside job. Say I'm naive or something. Same happened to my brother, Lucky for him at the time the transactions were happening (as per transaction list) he was lying injured in a car accident in hospital with his leg attached to a pin and hanging above him and his cards were safely stashed at home .At 12 midnight (time of transaction) his wife was very much asleep at her house. What I can't understand with these banks is why when these people withdraw from these account your daily Limit is ignored . Why doesn't the account get blocked immediately thus needing the true owner of account to unblock it if it was a true transaction??? That is why then I come to the conclusion that ,there's some rotten potatoes within the banks employ

Media Center

View MoreTop Stories: News

SA at labour unrest cross-roads: Gordhan 11 rhino poached in KZN in past 20 days Charges withdrawn in Bredasdorp murder rape case Chrome mine guards fire rubber bullets at strikers No bidders at Winnie auction Teachers: fury over unspent R533m Bay leaders on the carpet over 'anarchy' Varsities to march against violence Bhisho underspending triples Angry scenes in three Bay protests

News Categories

News Sport LifeStyle Letters World

Comment on this article via Facebook

The Herald Port Elizabeth - Inspired by Times Media Group

The Herald Port Elizabeth Digital Media & Marketing Association

Website development and design by Online Innovations