Scammers always find creative new ways to trick you out of your hard-earned cash. A little awareness can go a long way in protecting your bank account and your peace of mind. Here are some of the most common scams in South Africa and how to avoid falling victim.

Phishing scams

Phishing is when scammers pretend to be a trusted service provider via email to access sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs) and credit card details. Always verify the source before clicking links or entering personal information. Trusted companies like your bank will never ask you to provide sensitive data via email.

Top tip: Always hover over email links to verify the URL before clicking. If in doubt, don’t click!

Vishing scams

Con artists will impersonate service providers to trick you into sharing personal information or making payments over the phone. This has become even more popular with the advancement of AI-based voice cloning technologies, leading to deep fake phishing attacks.

Top tip: If you receive a phone call claiming to be from Telkom requesting personal information, call the official Telkom number to verify the request.

Smishing scams

Another type of phishing is smishing, or SMS phishing. Scammers will send you an SMS or a WhatsApp message with a link. Never click on these links or reply to the message. Report and delete the message. If the message claims to be from a business, first double-check with the business through their official channels to check if the message is legitimate.

Tax scams

A popular tax scam is where you’ll receive an email that appears to be from SARS informing you of a tax refund. The sender address will give you a clue if it’s genuine or not. Official SARS email addresses end in @sars.gov.za. SARS will never send you emails from a Gmail or other free email platform account. To ‘complete your refund,’ you have to click the link and fill in your personal and financial details on a form on the website, which, as you’ve guessed, is fake. They might even threaten legal action if immediate action is not taken.

SARS has cautioned against this scam with the following tips:

 Do not open or respond to emails from unknown senders.

 Beware of emails or SMSes asking for personal, tax, banking or eFiling details.

 SARS will never send you hyperlinks to other websites.

Top tip: SARS will never demand payment through unconventional methods like gift cards. Contact SARS through official channels to verify any communication received.

Money muling scams

Money muling is when you allow another person to use your bank account to receive or send money. This is often to disguise illegal activities. And while you may be thinking that you’re doing someone a favour, there are serious legal implications and pleading ignorance won’t stand in court.

Job scams

Has a random international number on WhatsApp or Telegram ever approached you offering ‘super easy’ online digital marketing work? The ‘job’ usually promises to pay you to like a business’s social media page or write them a glowing Google review. It might be tempting because they’ll claim to work for a legitimate agency, but it’s a scam. They eventually ask you for personal information like your ID number and request payment to unlock more ‘high-paying’ tasks.

Top tip: Never pay for a job. Legitimate employers do not require employee payment.

Social media scams

Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to buy affordable items, but it’s often used to trick users into buying fake products, or parting with their own possessions. Never hand over goods until you have been paid in full or have confirmation that the money is in the bank. Also, avoid sharing personal information or making payments outside secure platforms. Selling your phone on Marketplace? Make sure it’s wiped clean and reset to factory settings.

Top tip: Verify the seller's credibility by checking reviews and ratings before making any payment.

Did you know?

A common tactic phone scammers use is offering prizes for competitions you didn’t enter. For example, winning the lottery when you didn’t buy a ticket, or being the beneficiary of a multimillion-rand inheritance. You might even be asked to pay an upfront fee to claim the prize. And, of course, you have a limited time to claim it.

Top tip: Check the validity of a free offer by contacting the company directly on its official customer service number.

Romance scams

In a world of dating apps, swindlers are always looking for their next payday. Also known as sweetheart scammers, they will manipulate your genuine need for an emotional connection. Don’t fall for it - you are likely being scammed. Never send money to someone you’ve never met - especially if they offer you a once-in-lifetime opportunity to ‘invest’ in cryptocurrency or similar scheme. If you suspect your new match is trying to scam you, report and block them on the app. Stranger danger.

Top tip: Trust your instincts. If something feels off, chances are high that this is not real love. Always prioritise your safety.

Recovery scams

Yes, it gets worse. Recovery scams target people who have fallen victim to previous scams. These fraudsters will often contact you and offer assistance to recover lost funds - for a fee. Research the legitimacy of the recovery service and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

Top tip: Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true. It probably is.

Stay vigilant and informed to protect yourself from scams and scammers. By sharing these tips with your loved ones, especially at-risk elderly and kids who are more vulnerable to the dangers of technology, you can outsmart fraudsters and safeguard your money and personal information from heartless scammers. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry! And if you do receive a call claiming to be from Telkom requesting personal information, hang up and call the official Telkom number.

SMS

Check balances & usage, recharge vouchers and buy bundles by sending an SMS to 081 160 1820 from your mobile service.

WhatsApp

Send a WhatsApp text to 0811 601 700 to access your usage information, upgrade, recharge, shop deals and more.

Interactive Voice Response

Simply dial 081180 and get assistance managing your account, make changes and more.

Dial 101230 for any sales, billing or cancellation queries.