MFC Nedbank

Shocking Treatment of a Grieving Family Member by MFC, a Division of Nedbank

I am deeply disappointed with how MFC, a division of Nedbank, is treating my uncle after the passing of his wife in September. They were married in community of property in South Africa, and she had financed a car through MFC, which she only drove for two years before her untimely death.

After the burial in October, my uncle contacted MFC to inquire whether the car had payoff insurance in the event of her death. He was told that no such insurance had been taken out. He then requested to have the account transferred to his name, given their community of property marital status. However, MFC advised him that he would need to refinance the car instead of simply continuing the existing payments.

Despite his grief and lack of knowledge about his rights under community of property, MFC sent him refinancing forms for a car – but shockingly, the details in these forms were for a completely different vehicle than the one his wife owned! This already raised alarm bells and felt highly unprofessional, if not outright suspicious.

In November, my uncle was handed over to a new consultant at MFC to discuss a way forward. This consultant assured him that the car could be transferred to his name so he could continue payments where his late wife left off. However, he was then referred back to the original consultant, who once again sent him forms for the wrong car, pushing for refinancing rather than simply assisting him with the transfer. This back-and-forth has been deeply frustrating and distressing, particularly as my uncle is still mourning.

Now, MFC is threatening to repossess the car and have my uncle arrested if he does not either refinance or pay it off immediately. This is appalling, especially since the deceased's estate has not yet been finalised. The car has just three years left to be paid off, but instead of handling the matter with empathy and professionalism, MFC is pressuring and intimidating a grieving man.

This behaviour feels *********, predatory, and completely insensitive to the circumstances. How can a bank as reputable as Nedbank allow such treatment of their clients? I urge the ombudsman to intervene and investigate this matter urgently. My uncle deserves better than to be taken advantage of during one of the most vulnerable times in his life.