In yet another illustration on why it is highly unadvised to take everything posted on social media as the truth, Wesbank has doused flames that spread around rumours that more than 45 000 clients were going to lose their cars.
Did Sizwe Dhlomo spread the fake news?
It is enough that Sizwe Dhlomo was hit with the trolling antics of rapper AKA but this time, people have credited the media personality and businessman as the source of allegations that the vehicle finance arm of First National Bank (FNB) was on the verge of repossessing more than 45 000 cars due to nonpayment.
Social media went into a frenzy after the fake news spread. People were gobsmacked at the very thought that Wesbank lacked empathy at a time where thousands of clients face the reality of losing their jobs due to an economy on the brink of collapse.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) has forced many industries to close their businesses in support of the nationwide lockdown and many banks, including FNB, have been agile in working around ways to provide relief to clients.
Wesbank denies claims of planned mass car repossessions
In response to the claims, Wesbank issued a statement on social media noting that no vehicles financed by them are going to be repossessed at this time.
“The claims on social media that WesBank is planning to repossess 45000 vehicles are untrue & unfounded. Our priority is to assist our customers impacted by COVID-19 where possible,” the statement read.
Those who may have feared this would happen to them have been encouraged to contact the bank and either apply for a payment holiday or make special arrangements to pay their instalments.