Government · Complaint & ombud
Absa Ombudsman Contact Details
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The ombud for Absa bank disputes is the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO), on 0860 800 900 or info@nfosa.co.za, but you must first complain to Absa’s own Complaint Resolution Suite on 0800 41 41 41 or actionline@absa.co.za. There is no ombudsman run by Absa: the NFO is independent, and it now includes the former Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS).
Absa ombudsman contact details at a glance
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Absa Complaint Resolution Suite (complain to Absa first) | 0800 41 41 41 |
| Absa Complaint Resolution Suite email | actionline@absa.co.za |
| Absa Complaint Resolution Suite hours | Weekdays 08:00 to 16:30 |
| NFO contact centre | 0860 800 900 |
| NFO WhatsApp | +27 (0)76 574 8055 |
| NFO general email | info@nfosa.co.za |
| NFO media queries | media@nfosa.co.za |
| NFO online complaint form / application for assistance / track your complaint | nfosa.co.za |
| NFO Johannesburg office | 110 Oxford Road, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2198 |
| NFO Cape Town office | 6th Floor, Claremont Central Building, 6 Vineyard Road, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708 |
Official contact channels
Absa first. Absa’s Complaint Resolution Suite takes complaints on 0800 41 41 41, weekdays from 08:00 to 16:30, or by email to actionline@absa.co.za. You can also lodge a complaint at any Absa branch.
Then the NFO. The National Financial Ombud’s contact centre is 0860 800 900, its WhatsApp number is +27 (0)76 574 8055, and its general email is info@nfosa.co.za. The NFO website at nfosa.co.za has an online complaint form, an application for assistance and a tool to track your complaint. Journalists should use media@nfosa.co.za.
The WhatsApp link on the NFO site drops a digit, so save +27 (0)76 574 8055 by hand rather than tapping the link.
What the ombud handles
The NFO is a single dispute-resolution service that combines four former ombud services, including the Ombudsman for Banking Services. Its services are free of charge. The old OBS website, obssa.co.za, now redirects to the NFO’s banking ombudsman page, and old OBS contact details are out of date.
Absa says it follows the Code of Banking Practice and agrees to the rules set by the NFO. The NFO’s decisions are legally binding on Absa.
Complaints and escalation process
The NFO will normally ask you to use Absa’s internal complaints process first, unless it sees good reason to help right away. Follow these steps:
- Complain to Absa at a branch, on 0800 41 41 41 or at actionline@absa.co.za. Absa registers the complaint and gives you a reference number.
- Within three business days, Absa gives you a resolution or an estimated resolution time. If it cannot resolve the complaint within 20 business days, you get a letter of resolution or conclusion, or an expected resolution date.
- If the complaint is still unresolved, use Absa’s escalation process, then lodge it with the NFO through its online complaint form or application for assistance. Quote your Absa reference number.
- Track your NFO complaint online at nfosa.co.za.
Address and operating information
The NFO has two offices:
- Johannesburg: 110 Oxford Road, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2198. The parking entrance is at 19, 9th Street, Houghton Estate.
- Cape Town: 6th Floor, Claremont Central Building, 6 Vineyard Road, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708.
The NFO does not publish opening hours on its contact page. Absa’s Complaint Resolution Suite is open weekdays from 08:00 to 16:30.
For other regulators and public bodies, browse the government hub or the government directory A to B listings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Absa ombudsman contact details?
The independent ombud for Absa is the NFO: call 0860 800 900, WhatsApp +27 (0)76 574 8055 or email info@nfosa.co.za. Complain to Absa on 0800 41 41 41 first.
Does Absa bank have its own ombudsman?
No. Absa has an internal Complaint Resolution Suite, and disputes it cannot resolve go to the National Financial Ombud, whose decisions are binding on Absa.
What happened to the Ombudsman for Banking Services?
The OBS is now part of the National Financial Ombud. Its old website redirects to nfosa.co.za.
Does the NFO charge a fee?
No. The NFO’s services are free of charge.
Sources
- National Financial Ombud, Contact us: nfosa.co.za/contact-us/, read 2026-09-26
- National Financial Ombud, Banking ombudsman: nfosa.co.za/banking-ombudsman-landing/, read 2026-09-26
- Absa, Talk to us: absa.co.za/talk-to-us/, read 2026-09-26
- Absa, Corporate information: absa.co.za/about-us/absa-bank/corporate-information/, read 2026-09-26