Matsapha – FNB Eswatini has taken its fraud awareness drive to textile workers at Fashion International and Sigma Clothing in Matsapha, as the bank steps up efforts to curb rising cases of financial scams affecting workers, especially during the festive season.
The outreach, carried out this month at the two factories, was led by the bank’s Risk Department and focused on educating workers on how fraud occurs and how to protect their money. The sessions were facilitated by forensic specialist Tsepiso Dlamini, head of customer experience Thembi Silombo and service recovery officer Tholakele Masuku.
Workers were taken through common online scams, including fake Facebook pages using the FNB logo to lure victims with promises of quick loans. The facilitators explained that the bank has only one legitimate Facebook page, FNB Eswatini, which carries a blue verification tick, and warned that the bank does not request card details, PINs, OTPs or online banking passwords through social media or WhatsApp.
eWallet related scams also formed part of the training, with examples of fraudsters who claim to have sent money by mistake and ask for it back, or those who impersonate police officers or bank officials and pressure victims to move funds for so called safety reasons. Workers were advised to stop, verify and confirm any suspicious messages by contacting the bank through official channels, including the toll free number 800 6100, and to report incidents immediately to prevent further losses.
FNB Eswatini chief risk officer Gugu Matiwane said the bank’s approach was to meet people where they work and live. She said the outreach formed part of the bank’s commitment to protecting customers and the wider emaSwati community from fraud and urged the public to verify all communication relating to their money.
One of the participants, Ncobile Manana from Fashion International, said the session changed how she viewed information shared online. She said she had learned that FNB operates only one Facebook page and called for similar training to be taken to imiphakatsi and schools.
Fashion International human resources officer Nozipho Malinga said the partnership with the bank was necessary after seeing many workers lose their salaries to digital scams. She said it was common for employees to return after payday distressed after losing all their money and needing financial assistance.
At Sigma Clothing, workers shared similar experiences. Nomsa Dlamini said she avoided losing money after verifying a message claiming that E90 000 had been sent to her by mistake. She said contacting the bank helped her confirm it was a scam and urged fellow workers to always verify information.
Another employee, Nomfundo Dlamini, welcomed the initiative and praised the bank’s safety tools. She said the FNB Stokvel account stood out for her because it allowed her to save without disputes at the end of the year.
FNB Eswatini said fraud can be reported through the FNB App, by calling 800 6100, via email at gethelp@fnb.co.sz or on WhatsApp using 78029591.
Discussion about this post