Consumer Council calls on banks to provide customers with timely and up-to-date information

The Consumer Council of Fiji is calling on banks to provide their customers with timely and up-to-date information regarding any changes to the respective customers’ accounts or services.

Chief Executive Officer, Seema Shandil says the Council received cases whereby a bank blocked certain customers' VISA debit and credit cards without informing them.

She says customers only became aware that their cards were blocked after it was declined whilst shopping.

Shandil says due to this irresponsible and arbitrary action by the bank in question, many of their affected customers were not able to shop and went through an embarrassing experience when their cards were declined at the check-out counter.

She adds upon queries by the customers, the bank in question stated that the cards were blocked due to potential suspicious activity.

However, Shandil says the banks should have provided this information to customers instantly with clear steps consumers need to take to be able to use their cards again.

She says this is their responsibility and by failing to do so, banks are infringing on the rights of consumers to be informed.