Ombudsman For Banking Services (obssa)
Unclaimed Business
|1.4|9 Reviews (last 12 months)|This business does not respond to reviews
Ombudsman For Banking Services (obssa)
Unclaimed Business
|1.4
9 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, Ombudsman For Banking Services (obssa) is the subject of significant frustration from complainants seeking recourse against South African banks. A recurring theme is unanswered emails, unresolved cases, and adjudicators allegedly siding with banks without genuine investigation. Customers consistently mention feeling unheard, citing prolonged delays, lack of feedback, and perceived bias. While some reviewers express hope that the office will intervene in disputes involving account holds, unauthorised debits, and lending issues, the overall tone reflects disappointment with the resolution process and impartiality.
Review Distribution
1.4|9 Reviews
Sep '25 - Aug '26
Recent reviews (9)
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Mpho M
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2020
23 May 2026, 09:41
Formal Complaint Regarding Longstanding Debt Matter, Harassment and Request for Investigation
Good day, I am writing this complaint out of extreme frustration after more than 15 years of struggling with Standard Bank regarding an old debt account that has spiralled into what I believe to be unfair treatment, harassment, and questionable collection practices. The original debt amount was less than R40,000 over 15 years ago. Over the years, this account has continuously been moved from one law firm and debt collection agency to another, with no proper resolution despite my many attempts to engage Standard Bank directly and honestly. What has made this matter worse is that at some stage Standard Bank allegedly proceeded with legal processes as though summons had been properly served to me and signed for, which was never the case. I have never knowingly signed for any summons relating to this matter, yet it appears there is somehow a judgment linked to my name. I strongly dispute the manner in which this process was handled. After five years, the debt status eventually reflected as “Settled”, only for Standard Bank to again sell or hand over the file to yet another debt collection law firm. This cycle has continued for years and has caused severe emotional distress, financial prejudice, and reputational damage. To date, I am now being harassed and bul**** by another debt collection law firm whose details I do not even properly know. I have received threatening emails and ************ tactics despite previously communicating my financial circumstances openly and honestly. At the time, I explained to Standard Bank that: * I had been retrenched, * I was unemployed, * My bank account had been closed, * I was struggling to secure employment because of the adverse credit information linked to my name, * Someone was willing to assist me with R40,000 as a reasonable settlement in order for me to move forward with my life. Despite this, instead of assisting constructively, the account has continued accumulating excessive interest and charges to the point where an amount that was originally under R40,000 is now allegedly sitting at over R190,000. I find this unreasonable, excessive, and completely unjustifiable. Another issue that deeply concerns me is the fact that this account had insurance premiums attached to it, which I faithfully paid as part of the facility. To this day, I still question why, after losing my employment and being retrenched, the insurance attached to this account was seemingly never utilised to settle or assist with the debt. I specifically disclosed my retrenchment and financial hardship to Standard Bank and even provided supporting documents at the time. If insurance premiums were being deducted as part of this facility, then I believe Standard Bank owes me a full explanation regarding: * What insurance cover was attached to this account, * Whether retrenchment or inability to pay was covered, * Whether any claim was ever assessed or processed, * And why the debt continued escalating instead of being assisted through the insurance policy I had been paying for. It feels extremely unfair that I paid insurance on the facility for years, yet when I faced financial hardship after losing my employment, no meaningful assistance or insurance relief appears to have been app****. I have sent numerous emails over the years trying to resolve this matter amicably, but I have been passed from one department to another and from one law firm to another without any meaningful resolution. I am therefore requesting the following from Standard Bank: 1. A full breakdown of how this amount escalated from under R40,000 to over R190,000. 2. Proof of lawful service of summons and any court judgment allegedly obtained against me. 3. An explanation as to why the debt status reflected as “Settled” and then resurfaced again. 4. Full details of the insurance policy attached to this account and whether any retrenchment or credit life cover was ever activated or assessed. 5. Immediate cessation of harassment and threatening communication from debt collectors. 6. A fair and reasonable review of this matter considering the age of the debt and the prejudice caused to me over the years. I believe consumers deserve fair treatment, transparency, and lawful processes — not ************ and endless recycling of accounts between debt collectors. I sincerely hope Standard Bank will finally address this matter properly instead of continuing tactics that have negatively impacted my life, employment prospects, and wellbeing for over 15 years. Kind regards, Mpho Mo****di
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Mpho M
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2020
23 May 2026, 09:41
Formal Complaint Regarding Longstanding Debt Matter, Harassment and Request for Investigation
Good day, I am writing this complaint out of extreme frustration after more than 15 years of struggling with Standard Bank regarding an old debt account that has spiralled into what I believe to be unfair treatment, harassment, and questionable collection practices. The original debt amount was less than R40,000 over 15 years ago. Over the years, this account has continuously been moved from one law firm and debt collection agency to another, with no proper resolution despite my many attempts to engage Standard Bank directly and honestly. What has made this matter worse is that at some stage Standard Bank allegedly proceeded with legal processes as though summons had been properly served to me and signed for, which was never the case. I have never knowingly signed for any summons relating to this matter, yet it appears there is somehow a judgment linked to my name. I strongly dispute the manner in which this process was handled. After five years, the debt status eventually reflected as “Settled”, only for Standard Bank to again sell or hand over the file to yet another debt collection law firm. This cycle has continued for years and has caused severe emotional distress, financial prejudice, and reputational damage. To date, I am now being harassed and bul**** by another debt collection law firm whose details I do not even properly know. I have received threatening emails and ************ tactics despite previously communicating my financial circumstances openly and honestly. At the time, I explained to Standard Bank that: * I had been retrenched, * I was unemployed, * My bank account had been closed, * I was struggling to secure employment because of the adverse credit information linked to my name, * Someone was willing to assist me with R40,000 as a reasonable settlement in order for me to move forward with my life. Despite this, instead of assisting constructively, the account has continued accumulating excessive interest and charges to the point where an amount that was originally under R40,000 is now allegedly sitting at over R190,000. I find this unreasonable, excessive, and completely unjustifiable. Another issue that deeply concerns me is the fact that this account had insurance premiums attached to it, which I faithfully paid as part of the facility. To this day, I still question why, after losing my employment and being retrenched, the insurance attached to this account was seemingly never utilised to settle or assist with the debt. I specifically disclosed my retrenchment and financial hardship to Standard Bank and even provided supporting documents at the time. If insurance premiums were being deducted as part of this facility, then I believe Standard Bank owes me a full explanation regarding: * What insurance cover was attached to this account, * Whether retrenchment or inability to pay was covered, * Whether any claim was ever assessed or processed, * And why the debt continued escalating instead of being assisted through the insurance policy I had been paying for. It feels extremely unfair that I paid insurance on the facility for years, yet when I faced financial hardship after losing my employment, no meaningful assistance or insurance relief appears to have been app****. I have sent numerous emails over the years trying to resolve this matter amicably, but I have been passed from one department to another and from one law firm to another without any meaningful resolution. I am therefore requesting the following from Standard Bank: 1. A full breakdown of how this amount escalated from under R40,000 to over R190,000. 2. Proof of lawful service of summons and any court judgment allegedly obtained against me. 3. An explanation as to why the debt status reflected as “Settled” and then resurfaced again. 4. Full details of the insurance policy attached to this account and whether any retrenchment or credit life cover was ever activated or assessed. 5. Immediate cessation of harassment and threatening communication from debt collectors. 6. A fair and reasonable review of this matter considering the age of the debt and the prejudice caused to me over the years. I believe consumers deserve fair treatment, transparency, and lawful processes — not ************ and endless recycling of accounts between debt collectors. I sincerely hope Standard Bank will finally address this matter properly instead of continuing tactics that have negatively impacted my life, employment prospects, and wellbeing for over 15 years. Kind regards, Mpho Mo****di
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Clifton F
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2016
22 Apr 2026, 12:27
Botse Molefe - NOT the Ombud Adjudicator you want!
I logged a complaint with the Banking Ombudsman (National Financial Ombud Scheme - NFO) against a top tier banking institution on 18 April 2024, the case was assigned to Botse Molefe, the NFO Adjudicator. Botse responded on 19 August 2024 with her recommendation letter siding with the bank, attached was also the bank's correspondences to her, submitted during the investigation. Botse's recommendation letter consisted mostly of the bank's wording, a clear copy and paste scenario. I responded to her email on 23 August 2024, with grounds for a reconsideration, in light of the body of her email stating: "Should you not agree with this recommendation, or you have information that could possibly change the outcome of the recommendation kindly supply same to us." In addition, the recommendation letter read: "However, if you have substantial and significant information to the contrary, you may submit same to our office in writing for further consideration and we will advise you if the matter can be pursued further." Botse did not reply to this mail. I then sent her another email on 11 October 2024 requesting acknowledgement and feedback to my response sent on 23 August 2024 - to date, Botse has not bothered responding. In a different matter, I logged another Ombudsman complaint on 18 February 2025, the response sent to me from this office on 24 February 2025 read: "Your matter has been assigned to, Botse Molefe, under Ref 0009***." To this day, Botse has not come back to me whether to acknowledge the complaint or obtain information. Botse Molefe's conduct, representing the NFO as an Adjudicator, clearly contradicts what the NFO was established for: "The primary purpose of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) is to resolve consumer complaints against financial service providers. As an independent organisation, we commit to resolve disputes impartially, speedily, confidentially and in an open, informal and approachable way." Source: https://nfosa.co.za/. I have also referred my complaint to the Ombud Council for investigation into Botse Molefe's conduct considering the mandate conferred upon her by contract and regulations within the statutory framework of the FSRA.
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Clifton F
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2016
22 Apr 2026, 12:27
Botse Molefe - NOT the Ombud Adjudicator you want!
I logged a complaint with the Banking Ombudsman (National Financial Ombud Scheme - NFO) against a top tier banking institution on 18 April 2024, the case was assigned to Botse Molefe, the NFO Adjudicator. Botse responded on 19 August 2024 with her recommendation letter siding with the bank, attached was also the bank's correspondences to her, submitted during the investigation. Botse's recommendation letter consisted mostly of the bank's wording, a clear copy and paste scenario. I responded to her email on 23 August 2024, with grounds for a reconsideration, in light of the body of her email stating: "Should you not agree with this recommendation, or you have information that could possibly change the outcome of the recommendation kindly supply same to us." In addition, the recommendation letter read: "However, if you have substantial and significant information to the contrary, you may submit same to our office in writing for further consideration and we will advise you if the matter can be pursued further." Botse did not reply to this mail. I then sent her another email on 11 October 2024 requesting acknowledgement and feedback to my response sent on 23 August 2024 - to date, Botse has not bothered responding. In a different matter, I logged another Ombudsman complaint on 18 February 2025, the response sent to me from this office on 24 February 2025 read: "Your matter has been assigned to, Botse Molefe, under Ref 0009***." To this day, Botse has not come back to me whether to acknowledge the complaint or obtain information. Botse Molefe's conduct, representing the NFO as an Adjudicator, clearly contradicts what the NFO was established for: "The primary purpose of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) is to resolve consumer complaints against financial service providers. As an independent organisation, we commit to resolve disputes impartially, speedily, confidentially and in an open, informal and approachable way." Source: https://nfosa.co.za/. I have also referred my complaint to the Ombud Council for investigation into Botse Molefe's conduct considering the mandate conferred upon her by contract and regulations within the statutory framework of the FSRA.
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Khethiwe S
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
1 Apr 2026, 15:15
I want absa rectify error it they cnt refund all my money back
Please ombudsman assist me I took absa home loan okay it happen I was sick I failed to pay 3 months I made arrangements with them fine the send it attorney okay I agree I will pay arreas , I paid arreas I finish them so I keep on paying extra money to my account when I check balance they dnt remove the money of arreas I've been paying and they dnt allocate the extra money am paying but keeping going up last week I paid R12000 I phone them I paid money please allocate to show I paid this March they never do anything instead the debit to my account now they say am owing the they acc R10000 to my account again which is not far I have all proof of payment, paying extra money I send email they dnt attend my cry instead they avoid as nothing is happening my bond suppose to less that R600000 now but still going up
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Khethiwe S
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
1 Apr 2026, 15:15
I want absa rectify error it they cnt refund all my money back
Please ombudsman assist me I took absa home loan okay it happen I was sick I failed to pay 3 months I made arrangements with them fine the send it attorney okay I agree I will pay arreas , I paid arreas I finish them so I keep on paying extra money to my account when I check balance they dnt remove the money of arreas I've been paying and they dnt allocate the extra money am paying but keeping going up last week I paid R12000 I phone them I paid money please allocate to show I paid this March they never do anything instead the debit to my account now they say am owing the they acc R10000 to my account again which is not far I have all proof of payment, paying extra money I send email they dnt attend my cry instead they avoid as nothing is happening my bond suppose to less that R600000 now but still going up
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Doreen D
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2023
4 Feb 2026, 18:25
Capitec Incompetence unqualified agents
Good day I have had a terrible day trying to explain to 3 agents Ayanda, Then Andi & MpumiS about a PENDING amnt on my capitec app that must just be cancelled as I have cancelled the transaction with A TEMU merchant yesterday. I can give more info coz they Order is not despatched or Placed neither was the incorrect amount popped op and the R1 deals was no Longer available to me so I stopped the whole order and did not proceed with Both the Payment and the Order which seemed to be a ****, now a letter in Pdf form is requested from a merchant on Capetown to confirm the goods was not sent to me. Insane is an understatement really now, ehonis going to call Capetown om a 71 year old pensioner and the expectation is for me to deal with TEMU and then get the Pending money put back on. My account, All this got a lousy r150 to Capitec and much needed to a pensioner instead an agent calling from the bank if They want a letter to proof to them I got nothing from temu Doreen Davids *** 55/06/20
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Doreen D
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2023
4 Feb 2026, 18:25
Capitec Incompetence unqualified agents
Good day I have had a terrible day trying to explain to 3 agents Ayanda, Then Andi & MpumiS about a PENDING amnt on my capitec app that must just be cancelled as I have cancelled the transaction with A TEMU merchant yesterday. I can give more info coz they Order is not despatched or Placed neither was the incorrect amount popped op and the R1 deals was no Longer available to me so I stopped the whole order and did not proceed with Both the Payment and the Order which seemed to be a ****, now a letter in Pdf form is requested from a merchant on Capetown to confirm the goods was not sent to me. Insane is an understatement really now, ehonis going to call Capetown om a 71 year old pensioner and the expectation is for me to deal with TEMU and then get the Pending money put back on. My account, All this got a lousy r150 to Capitec and much needed to a pensioner instead an agent calling from the bank if They want a letter to proof to them I got nothing from temu Doreen Davids *** 55/06/20
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Keamogetswe K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2022
6 Oct 2025, 16:45
FNB unhold business account
ID number: *** Case number:*** Keamogetswe Matseoane I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the ongoing hold on my FNB account, which has now persisted for 26 working days and on the 10th October will be 30 workings days without resolution or a clear timeline for completion. My account was placed on hold on 2 September 2025 following routine FNB compliance checks. I was advised that the matter had been referred to independent institutions for investigation and that FNB is unable to provide a conclusion date. Since then, I have fully cooperated, provided all requested supporting documents, and responded promptly to every query. Despite my consistent engagement and follow-ups, the hold remains in effect, and I have not received any meaningful progress updates from FNB. The continued restriction has caused significant operational and financial strain on my business, Infinity Prime / Sweet Treats Hub, which depends on this account for daily transactions and supplier payments. I respectfully request the Ombudsman’s assistance in: 1. Reviewing the extended delay in the release of my account. 2. Ensuring that FNB provides clear feedback or a justified timeline for resolution. 3. Facilitating the unblocking of my account should no valid reason remain for its continued restriction. Attached are copies of my correspondence with FNB, proof of submissions, and related documentation for your review. Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter. I look forward to your guidance and intervention to help reach a fair outcome. ⸻
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Keamogetswe K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2022
6 Oct 2025, 16:45
FNB unhold business account
ID number: *** Case number:*** Keamogetswe Matseoane I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the ongoing hold on my FNB account, which has now persisted for 26 working days and on the 10th October will be 30 workings days without resolution or a clear timeline for completion. My account was placed on hold on 2 September 2025 following routine FNB compliance checks. I was advised that the matter had been referred to independent institutions for investigation and that FNB is unable to provide a conclusion date. Since then, I have fully cooperated, provided all requested supporting documents, and responded promptly to every query. Despite my consistent engagement and follow-ups, the hold remains in effect, and I have not received any meaningful progress updates from FNB. The continued restriction has caused significant operational and financial strain on my business, Infinity Prime / Sweet Treats Hub, which depends on this account for daily transactions and supplier payments. I respectfully request the Ombudsman’s assistance in: 1. Reviewing the extended delay in the release of my account. 2. Ensuring that FNB provides clear feedback or a justified timeline for resolution. 3. Facilitating the unblocking of my account should no valid reason remain for its continued restriction. Attached are copies of my correspondence with FNB, proof of submissions, and related documentation for your review. Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter. I look forward to your guidance and intervention to help reach a fair outcome. ⸻
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Bongani T
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2025
30 Sept 2025, 06:50
AFRICAN BANK
A loan was taken by ****mers using my details and they were threatening to take of my siblings and told me where she works and then I did comply,and the amount went into my account and I was threatened to withdraw money slowly and deposit it on different accounts. Now that I am facing this mess I have been trying to write emails to African bank no reply This guyz made me to pay the account installments as agreed on the contract for few months then I was left alone, I took my account to debt review because I could not afford to pay then I rescinded debt review then went back to debt review. So my issue is African bank is using this rude consultants who do not have supervisors and they tell me they are working from home but they are calling from head office at collection department. When I ask them to email me the original transcript and how was my account handed to collection.they are just being rude.please help with African Bank issue.i am not sure about their email also
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Bongani T
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2025
30 Sept 2025, 06:50
AFRICAN BANK
A loan was taken by ****mers using my details and they were threatening to take of my siblings and told me where she works and then I did comply,and the amount went into my account and I was threatened to withdraw money slowly and deposit it on different accounts. Now that I am facing this mess I have been trying to write emails to African bank no reply This guyz made me to pay the account installments as agreed on the contract for few months then I was left alone, I took my account to debt review because I could not afford to pay then I rescinded debt review then went back to debt review. So my issue is African bank is using this rude consultants who do not have supervisors and they tell me they are working from home but they are calling from head office at collection department. When I ask them to email me the original transcript and how was my account handed to collection.they are just being rude.please help with African Bank issue.i am not sure about their email also
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