4 May 2026 South Africa carries a grim badge of dishonour: the highest annual road death toll on the African continent. At the centre of this crisis is speeding, a reckless reflex that steals reaction time, magnifies the carnage of crashes, and leaves drivers paying

13 April 2026 What begins as a harmless “side hustle” can end with frozen accounts, fraud listings, and a ruined financial future. The Banking Division of the The National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) is warning consumers of a sharp rise in complaints linked

11 March 2026 The National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) is issuing a clear warning: don’t wait until debt has you cornered and your credit has spiralled out of control. The reality is simple: you can act early, and you should. “Consumers have the

23 February 2026 Insurance is meant to be your safety net, but for some policyholders that net unravels when it matters most. The Non-life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) says too often people discover after a fire, flood, or theft that

09 February 2026 One of the common exclusions found in insurance contracts relates to claims arising from criminal and illegal activities such as resisting lawful arrest and driving under the influence of alcohol. Insurance exclusions are provisions that specify circumstances under which claims will not

15 December 2025 Over R60 million returned to consumers in 2025. That’s the headline achievement of the National Financial Ombud (NFO) South Africa Banking Division this year, under the leadership of Lead Ombud Nerosha Maseti. Through decisive rulings and tireless dedication from case administrators and

2 December 2025 As festive season promotions intensify nationwide, the National Financial Ombud (NFO) South Africa is urging consumers to exercise caution with Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offers. While heavily marketed as simple, convenient, and interest-free payment options, BNPL arrangements carry hidden risks. In

24 November 2025 Party season is here, but don’t let it end in disaster: driving under the influence could wreck your future and your finances. This holiday, the biggest hangover isn’t alcohol; it’s losing your insurance cover. The Non-life Insurance Division of the National Financial

3 November 2025 As South Africans gear up for Black Friday on 28 November, the National Financial Ombud (NFO) urges consumers to think twice before swiping their way into a financial hangover. While seasonal discounts may offer short-term appeal, the long-term consequences of overspending on

13 October 2025 Not every file that crosses the desk of the Life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) ends in disappointment. Often, the NFO’s intervention flips the script – turning a declined claim into a paid one, restoring dignity, and rewriting

1 October 2025 The law requires all vehicles on public roads to be roadworthy, and insurers are within their rights to reject a claim when a vehicle’s unroadworthiness causes an incident. Every time a vehicle hits the road, it enters into an unspoken contract –

22 August 2025 Consumer education is at the forefront of activities by the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) to commemorate Money Smart Week 2025. Money Smart Week runs from 25 to 31 August under the theme “Smart Money: Financial Foundations for a Resilient Future”. Empowering

With virtual banking cards being offered across all digital banking platforms, and with the ability to load these cards on phones and other wearable devices, virtual cards are gaining ground over traditional physical cards or cash.

With the dramatic shifting of credit from a tool for upward mobility to a survival mechanism for basic necessities like food, rent, electricity and transport, alarm bells are being sounded about unsustainable debt levels of consumers.

The NFO is tasked with a number of responsibilities and duties that help keep South Africa’s economy healthy and robust for consumers and fi nancial services providers alike. It’s essential that we maintain an open door policy, keep communications channels clear and accessible while spreading our message, as well as being a responsible, generous corporate citizen.

The NFO is tasked with a number of responsibilities and duties that help keep South Africa’s economy healthy and robust for consumers and fi nancial services providers alike. It’s essential that we maintain an open door policy, keep communications channels clear and accessible while spreading our message, as well as being a responsible, generous corporate citizen.

The complainant approached our office for assistance following the rejection of his motor vehicle claim. The participant rejected the claim on the basis of lack of due care or recklessness on the part of the driver, being the complainant. The participant relied on the following policy provisions to reject the complainant’s claim.

The case concerned a funeral policy with Liberty Life (“the insurer”). The complainant was the beneficiary and premium payer. Ms R was both the policyholder and the life assured. Ms R (“the deceased”) died some 12 months after the policy was issued whereupon the complainant lodged a claim.

Assisting consumers with their complaints and giving the right advice at the right time to rural and vulnerable people can significantly reduce the complaints arising from financial products and services in these communities.

Since its establishment a year ago, the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) placed a staggering R328,5 million in the hands of aggrieved consumers who had complained about financial institutions.

A medical report does not automatically qualify an employee for disability insurance. While medical reports are crucial evidence, the employer’s medical boarding policy could well differ from the criteria used by the insurer for determining eligibility for disability benefits.

In this tough economic climate, policyholders may be forced to sacrifice their short-term or non-life insurance premiums cover to save money…

The National Financial Ombud (NFO) has reaffirmed its commitment to protect credit consumers from exploitation and unfair treatment – including reckless lending – as it endorses Freedom Month when the right to dignity and equality is celebrated…

Bank customers have every right to expect good service and for complaints to be taken seriously, says Nerosha Maseti, the Lead Ombud of the Banking Division at the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO).

The amalgamation of the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS), the Credit Ombud (CO), the Ombudsman for Long-Term Insurance (OLTI), and the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) into the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO)…

Having a professional driving permit (PrDP) would not have prevented the driver of a truck with goods from being hijacked at gunpoint, the Non-life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) has ruled.

The start of a new year is a good time to check that one’s financial affairs are in order and nominating beneficiaries on your life insurance policies will ensure that the proceeds are paid timeously to the intended parties.