Based on recent customer reviews, Barko Financial Services draws sharp criticism over debt collection conduct and record keeping. Borrowers repeatedly report settled loans still reflecting on their credit profiles despite holding paid up letters, with branch disputes going unresolved for months. Others describe intimidating recovery tactics, including visits to homes and workplaces, threatening messages and public embarrassment, alongside administration and delay fees they say were never disclosed. Former consultants raise unpaid overtime and commission deduction concerns. A smaller group praises fast, professional and courteous assistance at branches such as Alexandra.
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 33h 7m
TrustIndex
3.2
Ranking
#97
in Financial Services
Reply Time
32h 40m
NPS Score
-75
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 33h 7m
Dec '25 - Nov '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Barko Financial Services
What do customers say about Barko Financial Services?
Based on recent customer reviews, Barko Financial Services draws sharp criticism over debt collection conduct and record keeping. Borrowers repeatedly report settled loans still reflecting on their credit profiles despite holding paid up letters, with branch disputes going unresolved for months. Others describe intimidating recovery tactics, including visits to homes and workplaces, threatening messages and public embarrassment, alongside administration and delay fees they say were never disclosed. Former consultants raise unpaid overtime and commission deduction concerns. A smaller group praises fast, professional and courteous assistance at branches such as Alexandra.
Is Barko Financial Services trustworthy?
Barko Financial Services has a TrustIndex of 3.2 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 22 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 100% of negative reviews, typically within 33 hours 7 min. Hellopeter has tracked Barko Financial Services across 158 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (22)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Bad service
Barko Financial Services, I am extremely disappointed with your lack of professionalism and poor communication regarding my account. I have fully paid off my loan, yet my name remains on the credit bureau. Despite several phone calls and text messages, I have received no response. I find this unacceptable, especially after fulfilling my financial obligations to your company. I urgently request that you update my credit bureau records and provide written confirmation of the correction. I expect this matter to be treated with urgency.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Bad service
Barko Financial Services, I am extremely disappointed with your lack of professionalism and poor communication regarding my account. I have fully paid off my loan, yet my name remains on the credit bureau. Despite several phone calls and text messages, I have received no response. I find this unacceptable, especially after fulfilling my financial obligations to your company. I urgently request that you update my credit bureau records and provide written confirmation of the correction. I expect this matter to be treated with urgency.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2016
embarassing and disgraceful
How do you go to someones workplace and speak to their employer and colleagues regarding a debt...this is disgusting and worse they now threaten to go to my house with collectors.this is embarrasing extremely like really for a merely R1200.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2016
embarassing and disgraceful
How do you go to someones workplace and speak to their employer and colleagues regarding a debt...this is disgusting and worse they now threaten to go to my house with collectors.this is embarrasing extremely like really for a merely R1200.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING
BARKO LOANS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING COLLECTION EXPERIENCE My experience with Barko has been extremely disappointing. I understand that if a customer has an outstanding loan, the company has the right to contact the customer regarding payment. My concern is how the collection process is handled and the way customers are spoken to and approached. I have received SMS messages from Barko using statements such as: «“ITC BLACKLISTING”» «“LEGAL FIELD AGENT INSTRUCTED TO VISIT YOU AT YOUR HOME/WORK”» «“BARKO LEGAL TEAM IS ON THEIR WAY TO YOUR HOME/WORK!”» What made the situation even more uncomfortable is that Barko representatives previously came to my workplace looking for me and spoke to my colleagues/employer about my Barko loan and the fact that I was allegedly unable to pay it. I found this extremely embarrassing and inappropriate, especially because it involved discussing my financial situation with people at my workplace. I have also experienced difficulty getting through to Barko when I personally try to contact them to discuss my account or make an arrangement. Yet when their consultants contact me, the approach can feel extremely aggressive and, at times, rude. I am not saying a customer should not be held responsible for an outstanding account. I am saying there should be a professional, respectful and appropriate way of communicating with customers who are struggling to make payments. I have kept the SMS messages as evidence and have raised my concerns with Barko. I would like Barko to properly review the way my account was handled, including the workplace visit and the communication with people at my workplace. Customers can have financial difficulties without deserving to be embarrassed or pressured in front of colleagues and employers.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING
BARKO LOANS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING COLLECTION EXPERIENCE My experience with Barko has been extremely disappointing. I understand that if a customer has an outstanding loan, the company has the right to contact the customer regarding payment. My concern is how the collection process is handled and the way customers are spoken to and approached. I have received SMS messages from Barko using statements such as: «“ITC BLACKLISTING”» «“LEGAL FIELD AGENT INSTRUCTED TO VISIT YOU AT YOUR HOME/WORK”» «“BARKO LEGAL TEAM IS ON THEIR WAY TO YOUR HOME/WORK!”» What made the situation even more uncomfortable is that Barko representatives previously came to my workplace looking for me and spoke to my colleagues/employer about my Barko loan and the fact that I was allegedly unable to pay it. I found this extremely embarrassing and inappropriate, especially because it involved discussing my financial situation with people at my workplace. I have also experienced difficulty getting through to Barko when I personally try to contact them to discuss my account or make an arrangement. Yet when their consultants contact me, the approach can feel extremely aggressive and, at times, rude. I am not saying a customer should not be held responsible for an outstanding account. I am saying there should be a professional, respectful and appropriate way of communicating with customers who are struggling to make payments. I have kept the SMS messages as evidence and have raised my concerns with Barko. I would like Barko to properly review the way my account was handled, including the workplace visit and the communication with people at my workplace. Customers can have financial difficulties without deserving to be embarrassed or pressured in front of colleagues and employers.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
Leave before you get disappointed.
Barko has no problem, they have a guy who is going to drain them of customers who have been there for long, he is inexperienced with customers, ignores the customer don't communicate the problem. I will not seek anything anymore from there. There were professional ladies who attended to customers needs and he took their posts, when you call he picks the phone but does not help you to your satisfaction. I will not recommend anyone any more.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
Leave before you get disappointed.
Barko has no problem, they have a guy who is going to drain them of customers who have been there for long, he is inexperienced with customers, ignores the customer don't communicate the problem. I will not seek anything anymore from there. There were professional ladies who attended to customers needs and he took their posts, when you call he picks the phone but does not help you to your satisfaction. I will not recommend anyone any more.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2015
Payment arrangements
I have been taking minimum amounts loans from Barko until I lost my job at the of may 2026 and I couldn’t afford to settle the R1200,00 lately there are ladies whom I have been communicating with regarding arrangements which is R200 upfront to enter the payment plan. Now I have been threatened with izinkabi whom will come to my house and will not be nice as they will do as they please. Is Barko an Authorised FSP or a backyard loan shark dressed in white? Please advise because I cannot deal with the threats from Thuli at their protea gardens branch.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2015
Payment arrangements
I have been taking minimum amounts loans from Barko until I lost my job at the of may 2026 and I couldn’t afford to settle the R1200,00 lately there are ladies whom I have been communicating with regarding arrangements which is R200 upfront to enter the payment plan. Now I have been threatened with izinkabi whom will come to my house and will not be nice as they will do as they please. Is Barko an Authorised FSP or a backyard loan shark dressed in white? Please advise because I cannot deal with the threats from Thuli at their protea gardens branch.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2026
Bad Service from BFS Giyani Branch
My salary got aftected due to some banking technical issue . After 3 years of our Good relationship.. while in the process of fixing it . A lady from BFS Giyani branch called and started swearing at me . Shouting at me to a point a have to wuestion what happened to professionalism.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2026
Bad Service from BFS Giyani Branch
My salary got aftected due to some banking technical issue . After 3 years of our Good relationship.. while in the process of fixing it . A lady from BFS Giyani branch called and started swearing at me . Shouting at me to a point a have to wuestion what happened to professionalism.