Accountholders are inundating the call centres of banks with questions about the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (Fica).
Fica requires all financial institutions to verify the personal details of their customers. As the law currently stands, banks may have to freeze the accounts of customers whose details have not been updated and verified by the end of June.
This week, the Banking Council asked customers who want information about the Fica requirements to contact the banks on the toll-free lines:
- Absa - 08600 08 600;
- First National Bank - 0860 054 321;
- Standard Bank - 0860 123 000; and
- Nedbank Group (BoE Private Bank, Nedbank, Peoples Bank, Old Mutual Bank, Pick'n Pay Go Banking and Imperial Bank) - 0860 555 123 (as from May 18).
Fica requires that your bank obtain proof of your details, so you will have to visit a branch with your identity book and other documents.
Customers are asked not to use the Crime Stop numbers on ATMs.