How to spot common phone scams and protect yourself

As it is International Fraud Awareness Week (November 16-22), the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is urging people to beware of sophisticated phone-based scams. Scammers often impersonate representatives from the police, bank fraud departments, mobile network providers, or IT support companies.

SAFPS CEO, Manie van Schalkwyk, warns that technology has become a significant battleground in the fight against fraud. Scammers are employing various tactics to turn consumers into victims.

The SAFPS has launched the ‘Just Say Goodbye’ awareness campaign aimed at helping South Africans recognise and respond to increasingly sophisticated phone-based scams.

Understanding Vishing

These scams, known as vishing, involve fraudsters phoning victims while impersonating representatives from banks, financial institutions, cellular companies, insurers, law enforcement, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information or transferring funds.

Van Schalkwyk warns that these scams are highly deceptive, often targeting both individuals and corporate employees with access to financial systems.

Common scenarios to watch for:

SAFPS outlines common scenarios that victims may encounter:

• Receiving a call from your “bank fraud department” stating there is a problem with your account.
• Receiving a call from your “cellular company’s fraud department” claiming that a SIM swap has been requested on your number and they want to assist you in stopping it.
• A phone call from “law enforcement” about being linked to criminal activity.
• A phone call from “IT support” regarding a technical issue.

Police Scam

Regarding the police scams, SAFPS states that scam artists impersonate members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and use fake documents and calls to pressure victims into revealing personal and financial information. Posing as SAPS officials, scammers may claim there is a warrant for the victim's arrest or that they are linked to criminal activity and must urgently prove their innocence.

To build credibility, scammers send forged arrest warrants and transfer calls to fake “superiors,” escalating fear and compliance. Victims are coerced into private WhatsApp and video calls where they are pressured to disclose sensitive data, including banking details. In some cases, they are tricked into transferring funds to fraudulent accounts allegedly held by the South African Reserve Bank. Others are directed to install malware-laced apps that grant scammers remote access to their devices.

“The SAPS does not conduct investigations via chat apps or video calls, nor do they request money or restrict legal counsel. They would also not ask you to download suspicious apps to your device; these are red flags,” said Van Schalkwyk.

IT support scams

On the calls from IT support, Van Schalkwyk explains that scam artists claim they need to perform urgent security updates on a customer's computer due to a supposed virus or technical issue. They create a sense of urgency, aiming to steal financial information, money, or gain access to the victim’s device or install malware.

“If you receive an unsolicited call from your alleged IT support company saying there is an urgent technical issue and they request immediate remote access to ‘fix’ it, you should just say goodbye,” warned Van Schalkwyk, who noted that scammers often have some personal information on hand, which they use to build trust and legitimacy.

Scams can be reported on the Yima website at www.yima.org.za.

THE MERCURY