Avoiding Identity theft in South Africa
1.
Protect Your Personal Information
Do not share your ID number, passport number, or driver’s license number unless it is absolutely necessary.
Never carry unnecessary documents (ID, passport, bank cards) if you do not need them.
Shred or burn old bills, bank statements, and personal letters before throwing them away.
Be careful when giving personal details over the phone or email. Confirm the identity of the person requesting the information.
2.
Never share your PIN or online banking passwords with anyone.
Do not write down your PIN or keep it in your wallet.
Cover the keypad when entering your PIN at ATMs or point-of-sale machines.
Immediately report lost or stolen bank cards to your bank.
Use SMS or app notifications to track account activity.
Beware of card skimming devices at ATMs. If the ATM looks suspicious, do not use it.
3.
Strengthen Your Online Security
Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts. Combine letters, numbers, and symbols.
Change passwords regularly.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where available.
Do not log in to banking or sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi.
Only shop online from trusted websites with secure connections (look for “https://” in the address).
Always log out of accounts when using shared or public computers.
4.
Watch Out for Phishing and Scams
Be cautious of emails, SMS messages, or phone calls claiming to be from your bank, SARS, or government departments.
Do not click on suspicious links or download unknown attachments.
Banks in South Africa will never ask for your password or PIN by email or SMS.
If in doubt, contact the organisation directly using their official customer care number.
5.
Protect Your Cellphone Number
Criminals use SIM swaps to access banking one-time pins (OTPs).
Register for SIM swap alerts with your bank.
Contact your network provider immediately if your phone suddenly loses signal for no reason.
Enable extra verification layers on your SIM card (such as a SIM PIN).
6.
Monitor Your Credit and Accounts
Regularly check your bank statements for suspicious activity.
Register for free annual credit reports with credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, XDS, Compuscan).
Look for accounts or loans opened in your name that you did not authorise.
If you notice irregularities, report them immediately.
7.
If You Become a Victim of Identity Theft
Report the crime at your nearest police station and get a case number.
Inform your bank immediately to freeze or protect your accounts.
Contact the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your profile.
Inform your employer or any institution where your identity may have been used.
Keep detailed records of all calls, emails, and case numbers.