News & Events
Click on the links below to read our most recent news and find out more about the work of the OBS, and how we get involved in charitable programmes.
Press Releases . 13 May 2020
The impact of COVID-19, and the financial crisis that is bound to follow in its wake, will have a lasting impact on society and business as a whole. It will be a time of great financial stress and a time where the services of bodies such as the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS) will be needed now more than ever.
Press Releases . 15 Apr 2020
Consumer concerns related to Covid-19 including fears of being infected by the coronavirus while attending to their banking matters and stress related to debt issues have come to the attention of the Ombudsman for Banking Services.
Press Releases . 30 Mar 2020
Following President Ramaphosa’s announcement on Monday, 23 March 2020, of a national shutdown to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS) have adhered to his request and enforced the requested lockdown of our office premises.
Press Releases . 01 Feb 2020
Unfortunately, vishing is not new, but customers may be new to the scam. That’s why the Banking Ombudsman wants to warn customers, particularly in these tough economic times, when consumers are more vulnerable. Vishing is a method used to trick banking customers into divulging their confidential banking details, to scam unsuspecting bank customers out of their hard-earned money,” says Banking Ombudsman Reana Steyn.
Press Releases . 01 Nov 2019
For many South Africans Black Friday and Cyber Monday may bring welcomed bargains, but Reana Steyn, the Ombudsman for Banking Services, cautions consumers to be aware that the increased hype around sales and quick bargains also increases the risk of fraud.
Press Releases . 01 Oct 2019
“Losses and problems as a result of fraud in the personal banking space, are not the only cases that keep the Ombudsman for Banking Services (“OBS”) busy. The OBS investigates complaints involving disputed outstanding balances and terms on home loans, personal loans and revolving credit plans (RCP) on a daily basis,” said Reana Steyn, Ombudsman for Banking Services.
Press Releases . 30 Sep 2019
This week the Ombudsman for Banking Services South Africa hosted the 12th annual conference of the International Network of Financial Services Ombudsman Schemes (INFO Network).The conference hosted 92 delegates from 27 countries representing 36 financial ombudsmen from all over the world, from 30 September to 2 October.
Press Releases . 26 Sep 2019
Business Email Compromise (also called E-mail interception fraud) is a type of scam that targets companies and individuals who do electronic funds transfers from one person or entity to another.
Press Releases . 05 Sep 2019
In the past all credit bureau related complaints, even those involving a bank, have been directed to the Credit Ombudsman, whereas all other bank-related complaints were dealt with by the Ombudsman for Banking Services.
Press Releases . 20 Aug 2019
August is Women’s Month and with the focus on women and their finances, the Ombudsman for Banking Services analysed their complaints to assess their concerns.
Press Releases . 23 May 2019
The Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS) has today released its Annual Report highlighting some interesting statistics for its operations for 2018. Key highlights for the year
Press Releases . 16 Apr 2019
In the review of the first quarter of 2019, the Ombudsman for Banking Services has seen an alarming increase in credit card fraud. Credit card fraud is theft involving a payment card
