Social media was rife on Friday with reports of consumers falling prey to rogue debit orders. The companies, in this case, were identified as Egoli Rewards and Mzansi4U.
The company called Egoli Rewards ran a debit order batch for R135.00. Numerous people took to Twitter to complain about the issue.
I just wanna see something, To all those who got that Egoli Rewards, VIP Assist and other SMS’ today, which bank do you bank with?
— Blanco Fausto Morritt 🇮🇹 (@SirGumbi) January 30, 2019
Another R99.00 debit order by Mzansi4U left consumers at a loss.
Can @FNBSA so something about this Mzansi4u, debiting my account. Last week they debited R135 and I reversed it and today it’s R99.99. Why do I find myself playing hide and seek with thieves with my money under your watch? 😭😭😠😠😠
— Mish (@Mandyngqu) February 4, 2019
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Mzansi4U
We tried to contact Mzansi4U via the phone number (+27 83 928 4430) listed on their website, but the call went to voicemail. We also sent an email to info@mzansi4u.co.za to test the mailbox. There is no physical address listed on the website.
The products they purport to sell include home emergency assistance, roadside assistance, legal assistance, a funeral plan, HIV counselling and trauma assistance.
The website does not include any Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) registration information. A quick search on the FSCA database also shows no entry for Mzansi4U. The closest match is Mzansi Insurance Brokers who had their licence withdrawn in 2010.
Another issue with the website is that there is no consistency in the company’s name, for instance, in the domain name it is spelt as mzansi4u but in the company logo, it is spelt Msanzi4U.
Update: One of our readers, David managed to reach Mzansi4U and got through to Natasha Chetty. She said she represents Mzansi4U/SA Loyalty. She will not give any other details such as the company address or manager’s names. She can only help if provided with a reference number.
Egoli Rewards
The following SMS notification was posted on Twitter for a R135.00 debit order from Egoli Rewards:
Is this another scam @Rbjacobs @FNBSA cause I don’t know anything about Egoli Rewards pic.twitter.com/e6PHXrVfz5
— Mayor Maweezy (@Mawande_bones) January 30, 2019
Seemingly more brazen, we could not find any listing or verification that this company even exists.
Their office line is listed as 087 056 3239. A quick lookup in TruCaller had it listed as a scam.
The banks respond
The problem was widespread with FNB having the most debits. The major banks responded to queries on Twitter.
FNB
Hi Kabi. What you need is debicheck which allows you to verify any debit orders that go on your account. Click on the link below to find out more.https://t.co/JP3HYLQQzC
— Standard Bank SA (@StandardBankZA) February 1, 2019
ABSA
Hi there, kindly call the service provider that lodged a debit order in your account and ask them to cancel their debit order.
— Absa South Africa (@AbsaSouthAfrica) January 31, 2019
Nedbank
Hi Mbulaheni, while we understand the debit order may not have been authorised by yourself, we facilitate the admin behind the reversal for which we charge a fee.
— Nedbank (@Nedbank) February 1, 2019
Standard Bank
Hi Kabi. What you need is debicheck which allows you to verify any debit orders that go on your account. Click on the link below to find out more.https://t.co/JP3HYLQQzC
— Standard Bank SA (@StandardBankZA) February 1, 2019
Capitec
Hi Kabi. What you need is debicheck which allows you to verify any debit orders that go on your account. Click on the link below to find out more.https://t.co/JP3HYLQQzC
— Standard Bank SA (@StandardBankZA) February 1, 2019
The banks charge around R5.00 on average to reserve a debit order (Capitec and Nedbank). Absa reversals are free through their online banking. FNB reversals are also free if done via the mobile app. Standard Bank is also free if disrupted within 40 days.
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