Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

Barko Financial Services (Pty) Ltd ("Barko", "we", "us" or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use and protect it, and the rights you have under the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 ("POPIA").

Barko is an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 45614) and a registered Credit Provider (NCRCP 1764), Registration No. 1999/022139/07.

1. Information we collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

• Identifying information such as your name, ID or passport number, and date of birth;
• Contact details such as your address, telephone number and email address;
• Financial information such as income, bank statements, payslips and credit history;
• Employment information needed to assess affordability;
• Information you provide when you contact us, apply for a product, or use our webchat;
• Technical information such as IP address and usage data collected via cookies on our website.

2. How we use your information

We process your personal information to:

• Assess loan and funeral cover applications, including affordability and credit checks;
• Provide, administer and service the products you hold with us;
• Comply with our legal and regulatory obligations under the National Credit Act, FAIS and related laws;
• Prevent, detect and report fraud and other criminal activity;
• Communicate with you and respond to your enquiries and complaints;
• Improve our products, services and website experience.

3. Sharing your information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it with credit bureaus, payment and DebiCheck providers, insurers and underwriters, regulators, and trusted service providers who assist us in operating our business, always subject to appropriate confidentiality and data-protection obligations. We may also disclose information where required by law.

4. How we protect your information

We apply appropriate technical and organisational security measures to safeguard your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Access is limited to personnel who need it to perform their duties.

5. How long we keep it

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy and to meet legal, regulatory and reporting requirements.

6. Your rights under POPIA

You have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you;
• Request that we correct or delete inaccurate or outdated information;
• Object to the processing of your information in certain circumstances;
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

7. Cookies

Our website uses strictly necessary cookies to keep you signed in and to secure your application, as well as analytics tools to understand how the site is used. You can manage cookies through your browser settings.

8. Contact us

For any privacy or POPIA/PAIA related queries, or to exercise your rights, please contact our Information Officer:

Email: privacy@barko.co.za
Toll Free: 080-777-3777
Head Office: Barko Financial Services (Pty) Ltd, Menlyn Woods Office Park, Block B-GF, 291 Sprite Avenue, Faerie Glen, Pretoria, 0081

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be published on this page with an updated revision date.