The messages worth recognising before they reach you
The scams people are seeing right now.
Not a wall of threat intelligence. Just the fake sites, messages and stories worth knowing before one lands in your phone.
What our scanner has found
Recent SASSA fact-check warns about SMS phishing links saying 'click this link to verify your SASSA grant', 'update your details' or 'claim your payout'. It says SASSA does not send SMS messages with clickable links asking users to verify, log in or update details.
SASSA fact-check warns about WhatsApp messages claiming to be SASSA agents or official numbers for SRD applications/status fixes. The scam asks beneficiaries for ID numbers, banking details, OTPs or PINs over WhatsApp.
SASSA fact-check warns of fake Postbank Gold Card deadline messages. Scammers invent urgent card-expiry or replacement deadlines to push beneficiaries into sharing card details, queueing unnecessarily or engaging with fake helpers.
SASSA fact-check warns about callers pretending to be SASSA agents and asking for the OTP sent to the victim's phone to 'verify' the account. Sharing the OTP can let criminals access banking or grant-related services.
SASSA fact-check warns about fake SASSA home visits, where people claim a SASSA officer will visit to update details, check a grant or replace a card. The warning says genuine officers do not ask for cards, PINs or banking passwords.
SASSA fact-check warns about viral posts/forwards claiming a fake SRD increase, including R450 or R700 amounts. These messages are used to drive users to fake application, verification or update processes.
Nedbank fraud-awareness page warns of parcel scams targeting online shoppers through fake emails and SMSs that appear to come from courier companies or the South African Post Office. Victims are asked to click a link and pay a fee to receive a package, then are prompted for card or digital-banking credentials.
A recent South African courier-customs phishing warning describes emails claiming a parcel is on hold because customs fees are unpaid, with a 'Track Shipment' button leading to an unrelated address. The message uses courier branding, a tracking number and urgency.
A fake court-document email claims a Letter of Demand has been issued and pressures the recipient to click a “View Court Document” link, likely for phishing or malware.
A fake MTN data-gift message offers free data linked to a recent Bafana Bafana goal and tries to get the recipient to click a phishing link.
A fake transfer notification says a R15,800.00 transfer has been approved but requires a R1,777 transfer fee, attempting to make the recipient call a fraudulent number or pay the fee.
A WhatsApp message impersonates Capitec and attempts to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious banking link.
A fake Google Wallet image claims to be a Checkers gift card worth ZAR 4,000, with barcode and redemption number, likely used to trick victims into believing they have a valid voucher or to phish during “activation”.
A phishing attempt impersonates Absa Bank using only a sender email, likely aiming to get recipients to reveal personal or financial information.
Updated SASSA fact-checks warn that scammers circulate SMS messages saying “click this link” to verify a grant, update details, or claim a payout.
Recent SASSA fact-checks warn about fake WhatsApp numbers claiming they can apply for SRD grants or fix grant statuses.
Recent SASSA fact-checks warn about fake social-media and WhatsApp claims that the SRD grant has increased to R450, R500 or R700.
Recent SASSA fact-checks warn about fake SASSA business-grant offers of R150,000, R250,000 or R350,000.
Recent SASSA fact-checks warn about fake Postbank Gold Card deadline messages that invent urgent earlier deadlines.
Recent SASSA fact-checks warn about callers pretending to be SASSA agents and asking for OTPs or one-time PINs.
Fastway warns that scammers target marketplace sellers with fake Fastway emails, SMSs or instant messages, claiming Fastway will arrange payment, collection and delivery.
Updated SASSA fact-check warns that SMS messages telling beneficiaries to click a link to verify a grant, update details or claim a payout are phishing.
Updated SASSA fact-check warns about fake SASSA WhatsApp numbers claiming to help with SRD applications or grant-status fixes.
ScamChecker’s latest South African reports include an FNB fake transfer notification and fee scam.
ScamChecker’s latest South African reports include a Capitec phishing scam sent via WhatsApp link.
ScamChecker’s latest South African reports include a phishing attempt impersonating Absa Bank.
ScamChecker’s latest South African reports include a fake Google Wallet Checkers gift-card scam.
ScamChecker’s latest South African reports include a fake MTN data-gift scam tied to a recent Bafana Bafana goal.
ScamChecker’s latest South African reports include a fake court-document email scam.