South African drivers are being warned to stay vigilant this festive season as scammers ramp up efforts to exploit unpaid fines, heavier traffic volumes and heightened law enforcement activity.
With more cars on the road and increased visibility at roadblocks and border posts, criminals are using intimidation and urgency to trick motorists into handing over money and personal details.
Fines SA has raised the alarm over a surge in fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages claiming recipients have outstanding traffic fines that require immediate payment. The company says it has received a sharp increase in queries from motorists unsure whether the messages they've received are genuine, as the scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
