FNB gets ultimatum to reverse transactions
MASERU – A local furniture shop, Home Images, has given First National Bank (FNB) 48 hours to reverse three fraudulent transactions that took place last November.
The shop was among 19 other businesses that were swindled of more than M205 268 through the use of a fake credit card.
The fraudster, only identified as K Mosoue, went to the retail shop and bought a lounge suite and fridge valued at M11 000.
He went back to the shop on the same day and bought a TV stand, TV set and a coffee table all valued at M11 899.
He also bought a wardrobe, heater and another television set and carpet worth M9 423.
All transactions were approved by an FNB speed-point machine.
On December 22, the furniture shop’s business account was debited with the three transactions. The bank has denied liability.
Home Images lawyers, Goodrick and Franklin Attorneys, on Tuesday wrote to FNB demanding that the bank reverses the fraudulent transactions.
“It is the instructions of our client, Home Images, not to institute legal action against you for recovery of loss client suffered through the reversal of the three transactions of respectively on 7 November 2012 and November 9, 2012 in total amount of R32 322.99, provided that you within 48 hours from date hereof favour us with . . . all valid and legally binding reasons why FNB is entitled to withhold payment of the said amount,” the lawyers wrote.
They have also demanded from FNB a “copy of the audit transaction detail report with regard to the three transactions”.
“Understanding client does not wish to waste unnecessary legal costs by instituting legal action against you should there exist good reason why FNB is not obliged to repay the said sum of R32322.99 to client,” the letter says.
“The reasons previously given to client totally differ from the reason allegedly forwarded by your Mr Balcou to the Lesotho Times of February 7-13 2013 wherein it was reported that he allegedly said that “Home Images had not given him the necessary documents for proper investigation to be carried out hence the bank was not liable”.
A director at Home Images, Mairoon Adams, yesterday told the Lesotho Times that they had given FNB’s head of operations, John Balcou, all documents to conduct a full investigation.
“He claims we did not give him the information but (that is not true). We provided him with all the necessary documents but he is simply relying on the imprint,” Adam’s said.
Adam’s said there were about 11 other customers who had used credit cards to buy some goods in November last year and their transactions went very well except for the two that were done on November 7 and 9.
At least 19 local shops that include restaurants, lodges, garages, clothing and furniture shops were swindled of more than M205 268 through the use of a fake credit card last November.
Comment by lefika on 14 February 2013:
Fnb jst pay nd spare urslfs 4rm more embrassment,plus its a ryt thng 2 do
Comment by Tllhase on 14 February 2013:
Congratulations Home Images. This show guts. FNB should not be allowed to get away with this. Sue the pants off them. Another David vs Goliath.
Comment by L. Adams on 14 February 2013:
Thank You for your support. We undertook this not only to protect ourselves but perhaps the smaller retailers that cannot take the hit and have nowhere to go..
Comment by Bobete on 14 February 2013:
Somebody has to stand up to these foreign banks that always deny responsibility yet they are charging us exorbitant bank charges. Ba hlanya ha lefe chelete eo ke bona ba endorse the transaction in the 1st place.
Comment by Sekepe on 14 February 2013:
there is no smoke without fireee!
Comment by Kliketso on 15 February 2013:
OOOOOOps, Home Images, I just love what you did. We wish you luck, go all the way to recover your losses from that racist bank! FNB won’t grant you a credit card if you do not produce an ID number, which is a South AFrican thing for now – fill in your LS passport no in the application forms and see where it gets you. They piss me off and am working to closing my account with them as I write this.
Best of luck!!!
Comment by Dans on 16 February 2013:
Ithink des bank that you guys call it FNB must go, it looks like they are here to rob basotho, they owed me almost a year to pay me back it was hustle for my money.
Comment by AUPA on 17 February 2013:
demn im a victim! last year october i was in SA then R2000 was taken from my account. i want to calton centre fnb to claim my money they said they cant help since im a mosotho, so went to my branch in maputsoe and filled the forms since october they never paid me. i calld them last week n said mzanzi’s fnb z still investigating. d question z for hw long? fnb doenst care, only south africans are more previllegd dn us yet w payn sam charges. still waiting…..
Comment by Tllhase on 18 February 2013:
AUPA, get your lawyer to write a formal letter to them (or yourself) and copy the Central Bank of Lesotho as the sector regulator in Lesotho. I think consumer affairs is under the Director of Supervision – who in fact Supervises the countries Banks. If not sure, ask the CBL who is responsible for consumer affairs.
Comment by Silky on 19 February 2013:
FNB is one Bank that does not learn! how many fraudulent events have we read on the papers since the Bank came in country? more than one! – which is quite on the high side for a commercial Bank! One, I doubt if they ever conduct vetting exercises for their incoming staff, second; even if the Bank is aware of possible fraud, you’ll be surprised to find the suspects still on board!
Does anyone know if Lesotho has a Consumer Protection Act?
Comment by AUPA on 19 February 2013:
Thanx Tllhase.D thing: FNB e Calton centre jozi dy said if i was a South African dy were gna pay m within three months PERIOD of investigation, hre at home they cant even trace how far the investigation crew z (since october)with my account (still investigating), im jst waitn n its lik im gna wait coz they say therz nthn that dy cn do. i cnt 4gt dt day i had R3000 in my account bt coulnt withdraw it, ATM at d mall displayd my balance bt there was no option for cash withdrawal. wnt to another ATM nearby afte 10min n 2000 was nolonger there. ejo FNB!!!!!
Comment by DaSnei on 20 February 2013:
Ke nako joale hee baheso ea hore re la teng litekana tsa rona motebong ona o malimabe ho ba ho hlakile hore ha li a bolokeha, mamenemene a iketsetsa borata ka marangrang a khoehlang a FNB ebe eona FNB e bnts’a hore ha se tabeng ea eona. Hona ha se banka ke sentele.