FSCA Warns Public Against Neil Hanekom and Richard Pronzo

​The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), South African financial markets regulator, has warned the public to act with caution when dealing with with Neil Hanekom and Richard Pronzo.

According to the information received by the FSCA, Neil Hanekom and Richard Pronzo have been contacting members of the public claiming to be tracing agents for the FSCA. They state that the FSCA helps retrenched and former employees of corporate and industrial entities who are owed unclaimed unemployment benefit funds, undeclared leave days, retirement funds and unclaimed insurance policies. They advise consumers of the amount that is supposedly due to them and request documents, as well as payment of a fee in order to release the funds.

The FSCA confirms that it does not have any affiliation with Neil Hanekom and Richard Pronzo. Furthermore, the FSCA does not make use of any tracing agents nor will they contact consumers without any solicitation from consumers or consumers' request for assistance. 

The FSCA warns that members of the public should always check that an entity or individual is registered with the FSCA to provide Financial Advisory & Intermediary Services and what category of advice it is that the entity is registered to provide. 

It again reminds consumers who wish to conduct financial services with an institution or person to check beforehand with the FSCA as to whether or not such institution or person is authorised to render financial services.