FNB ***** Department’s Reckless Account Block Has Crippled My Business

I am writing this review to express my deep concern and disappointment with the way FNB ***** Department has handled a matter that has now severely disrupted our business operations and financial commitments. Our company operates a legitimate car hire service. A client made a payment for vehicle hire, received full booking confirmation and details, and subsequently decided to cancel the booking due to a deposit-related issue. In accordance with our company’s refund policy, the client was informed that the refund process takes up to seven (7) business days, a standard practice in most businesses to allow for administrative and banking processing. However, instead of waiting for the refund turnaround period, the client opted to file a ***** complaint with FNB, falsely alleging that the transaction was a ****. Acting on that complaint, FNB immediately and unilaterally placed a ***** block on our business account without verifying the details, reviewing communication records, or even contacting us for clarification. While I fully understand that the bank must act swiftly to protect clients from genuine *****ulent activity, it is reckless and irresponsible for a major institution like FNB to freeze a registered business account on the basis of an unverified accusation. In cases involving businesses, there should be a level of due diligence — including verification of client communication, transaction documentation, and business legitimacy — before taking such a drastic step. As a result of this impulsive decision, our business has been completely incapacitated. We are unable to receive or make any payments, which means we cannot serve our clients, pay our suppliers, or meet our contractual obligations. This has created serious operational challenges and reputational harm. Employees who depend on the business for their livelihood are now directly affected by FNB’s failure to act responsibly and proportionately. To make matters worse, the client has since withdrawn the ***** claim and has even submitted an affidavit to FNB confirming that there was no *****ulent activity — that it was a commercial dispute arising from a refund delay within policy timelines. Despite this, the bank has still not lifted the block, and the matter is said to be awaiting finalization by Nomthandazo Magwaza at the ***** Department. It is unacceptable that a single false complaint, made without any evidence, can lead to such severe and prolonged consequences for a legitimate business. FNB’s current ***** management process appears to prioritize impulsive reaction over factual investigation and common sense. I would have understood such an approach if this were a personal account, but this is a business account that handles multiple legitimate transactions daily, impacting employees, clients, partners, and service providers. Blocking it without proper verification is not only unfair but also potentially negligent from a corporate governance and customer service perspective. I therefore urge FNB to: Review its ***** handling procedures — ensuring that businesses are contacted for verification before accounts are frozen. Train ***** department staff to distinguish between commercial disputes and actual *****ulent transactions. Implement a faster resolution process for cases where clients retract ***** allegations or provide affidavits clearing the business. Consider the broader implications of account blocks on business continuity and livelihoods. At this stage, our company’s operations, client trust, and contractual obligations have been seriously damaged. The prolonged delay in resolving this matter is not only unjust but also demonstrates a lack of accountability within FNB’s ***** management process. We expect FNB to handle this matter with the urgency and professionalism it deserves — and to take steps to ensure no other legitimate business suffers such unnecessary and avoidable harm in future.