Comply with Fica or face a banking freeze

26 March 2015 - 02:07 By TJ Strydom

Your bank wants your latest details or it could be forced to freeze your account. The South African Banking Risk and Information Centre yesterday urged South Africans to comply with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, even if you have "Fica'ed" yourself before."It's an ongoing process," said Kalyani Pillay, CEO of the risk and information centre, yesterday.She said "a fair amount" of South Africans were non-compliant.Banks have been trying to get clients into branches to update their details, but with outdated cellphone numbers, it's been tough going, according to Pillay.The Reserve Bank last year fined South Africa's banks a collective R125-million for not complying fully with Fica.If banks are unable to get hold of their clients, they will "right at the end, freeze your account", according to Pillay.While Fica is aimed at preventing money laundering, the financing of terrorism and uncovering fraud and corruption, it needs the right information.Something as simple as changing from full-time employment to starting your own business could suddenly flag your account, as larger than usual amounts start flowing through it, said Pillay."It is important for banks to know who their clients are."Cas Coovadia, chairman of the risk and information centre, said that though South Africa's banking sector might be relatively small , it is globally connected. This leaves South African clients vulnerable to criminals from all over the world.Pillay warned that even the drive to get all clients Fica'ed could be twisted into a scam."Your bank will contact you, but you will never be asked to click on a link or send someone your PIN," she said...

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