Social media scammers use common scam tactics such as:

• asking for deposits up front without a first initial meeting
• saying someone will buy something you are selling without seeing it first and at a high price
• comes with excuses of vehicle issues and or problems 
• saying they live overseas and can’t meet you in person.
• offering items for sale at significantly reduced prices than usual compared to other sites.
• offering you a way to make quick, easy money with little risk or effort
• inviting you to enter a competition or limited time offer.

Steps you can take to protect yourself

These simple steps can help prevent loss of money or personal information to scams.

Make sure the person or business entity is who they say they are

• If it is a contracting or professional firm first check with SAPAC - Professionals and Contractors.
• Be wary if a job is offered to you without an interview, or discussion about your experience, suitability, and references. Research the recruiter and the business or individual offering the position. Contact the recruitment agency via phone numbers sourced from an independent internet search.
• If an offer appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Be careful about what information you share on social media

• Never send money to a person you have met on a WhatsApp or Social Media group.
• Never send personal pictures of yourself to someone you have only met online.

Warning signs it might be a scam

Stop and think. There's a good chance it's a scam if the email:

• Contains a link or attachment that asks you to log on to an online service with your username and password or to provide other personal information
• Requests a payment but the bank account and Business details are new or have changed since the last payment you made
• Claims to be from a well-known organization or business entity or government agency but is sent from a free webmail address (for example @gmail.com, @yahoo.com.za, procurements-labour-za.org)

Steps you can take to avoid email scams

These simple steps can help prevent loss of money or your personal information to scams:

Check that the email is real 

• Check on the SAPAC open source live scams list if the email is listed there yet.
• Contact the organization or person using details you have found yourself (on their website or in the phone book) to check if the email was real
• Access the organizations' secure, authenticated portal or app directly (never via a link)

Learn how to protect your email account

• Use unique passwords for different accounts and consider using a password manager so you don’t need to remember every single password you use.
• Use multi-factor authentication when you can. This provides an extra layer of protection and means a scammer has to correctly guess your email password and a pin number sent to your phone to gain access to your email account.

SAPAC list live scams in real time and has procedural steps on how to report and list scams.

Be scam aware

Watch out for scams and immediately block contact with anyone who tries to threaten or intimidate you. Open up a CAS number with the SAPS at once and complete an affidavit to the effect. Attach proof of the email.  

Never give personal details or payment to anyone offering compensation or help you recover from a previous scam or data breach or winnings, prizes or an inheritance.

Think you've been scammed?

1. Act fast to stop any further losses

Contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scam. Ask them to stop any transactions.

Change passwords on all your devices and online accounts like email, banking, government sites and shopping sites. 

2. Report the Scam

Once you have had the opportunity to have secured your details, you should open up a SAPS Case number, you can help us to try and stop the scammers or to warn other by reporting the scam to us. Depending on the nature of the scam site with a case number it can be listed. 

3. Get help to recover

With your case number visit your nearest Department of Home Affairs and provide them with the information of your case including your signed affidavit. They should be able to capture the fact that your personal details may have been stolen and may be used for criminal activities. Visit their Website and make an appointment https://www.dha.gov.za/

Common social media scams types

South African Service delivery and product scams Scammers prey on consumers and businesses that are selling or buying products and or services. Not every transaction is legitimate  >PRESS HERE

South African Investment scams If your looking to make money through investing, watch out - scammers have created all sorts of fake opportunities to get you excited and take away your cash.  >PRESS HERE