The introduction of a new online toll solution from financial services provider FNB is "revolutionising" toll road payments, and reducing fraud related to toll road payment methods.

The service provider describes traditional payment methods on toll roads as inconvenient for motorists and vulnerable to abuse and fraud.

It notes that fraudsters were, with little effort, able to abuse the system in various ways, adding that there were limited ways to detect lost, stolen or cancelled cards, and the cards themselves were vulnerable to cloning.

As a result, losses to fraud have been escalating year-on-year.

With this in mind, FNB says its new online toll solution addresses the weaknesses of traditional systems by processing payments made with Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) chip cards – credit or debit cards that contain an embedded microchip, which enhances security compared to traditional cards – immediately through an online process. 

The FNB solution offers enhanced security, reducing the possibility of fraud and allowing users to keep cards or payment devices in their possession during payment.

FNB describes the process as seamless for the cardholder, noting that there have been significant and definitive results in terms of fraud reduction.

The company notes that fraud volumes related to credit and debit cards have declined by over 90% since the launch, as the number of cards associated with known fraud or abuse has decreased sharply.

At tolls where the FNB solution has been installed, it notes that there has been a near total migration from swipes to contactless transactions for contact-enabled cards. 

“Our new online toll solution reflects FNB’s commitment to innovation that delivers real impact,” says FNB product and solutions head Netsai Ngidi.

“By replacing outdated, fraud-prone systems with secure, real-time payment processing, we’ve not only enhanced convenience for motorists but also achieved a dramatic reduction in card-related fraud.

“This is a win for all stakeholders in the toll payment ecosystem, and it’s just the beginning. We’re excited to continue rolling out this solution nationwide in 2025.”

FNB says the solution has resulted in immediate benefits for toll concessionaires, card issuers, toll acquirers and cardholders.

The financial services provider expresses that it remains committed to delivering innovative solutions, and will continue to expand the solution to additional toll road concessionaires this year, aiming to have the majority of toll concessionaires migrated to the new solution before the end of the year.