Scam alerts
Spot the most common scams in South Africa, and what to do instead.
Common scams
Deposit scams
Pay a deposit or courier fee before you see the item.
Red flags
- Upfront EFT or e-wallet payment
- Fake proof-of-payment screenshots
What to do
- Pay only after you inspect it
- Check your own banking app for cleared funds
Fake profiles
Stolen photos and names to look trustworthy.
Red flags
- No trust badge, or Incomplete
- Name in chat doesn't match the profile
What to do
- Check the trust badge first
- Ask for a fresh photo of the item
Won’t meet
Endless excuses, or a private address.
Red flags
- “Out of town, I’ll courier it”
- Meeting place changes last minute
Too good to be true
Prices far below similar listings.
Red flags
- Brand-new account, many pricey items
- “Emigrating, need cash fast”
What to do
- Compare similar listings
- Ask for proof of ownership
Off-platform chats
Pushing you to WhatsApp or Telegram straight away.
Red flags
- Links to “payment portals”
- Asks for an OTP or PIN
What to do
- Keep chats on VerifyMzansi
- Never share an OTP or PIN
- Stop contact and payments
- Call your bank's fraud line
- Open a case at SAPS
- Report the account to us
Golden rules
- Deal with ID Reviewed accounts
- Never pay before inspecting
- Meet in public, in daylight
- Tell someone where you are going
- Walk away if unsure
Seen something suspicious? Report it