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South African drivers are being warned about a significant increase in fraudulent traffic fine text messages designed to steal money through fake payment platforms.
Fines SA, the country’s leading smart traffic fine platform, reported a sharp surge in consumer inquiries about suspicious SMS messages claiming motorists have unpaid fines requiring immediate payment. The scam messages typically include links directing users to counterfeit websites that closely mimic legitimate municipal traffic fine platforms.
“We’ve seen a noticeable spike in motorists contacting us to check whether SMSes they’ve received are legitimate,” said Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA. “The messages look convincing, but they are designed to create urgency and panic.”
The fraudulent scheme typically begins with motorists receiving SMS or WhatsApp messages warning of outstanding fines or pending penalties. These messages contain links to cloned websites that appear nearly identical to official payment platforms, but redirect payments to criminal accounts rather than municipal authorities.
Berman said that his company does not send traffic fine notifications via SMS, making any such messages automatically suspicious. He warned that once victims click links and make payments on these unsafe sites, “the money is gone and no fine has actually been settled.”
A critical warning sign for motorists is that legitimate links should only direct to www.finessa.co.za, Fines SA’s official website. Any other domain should be treated as fraudulent.
The scams leave victims in a particularly vulnerable position – not only do they lose money to criminals, but they remain liable for any legitimate outstanding fines.
“The safest approach is to stop and independently verify,” Berman advised. “Rather than reacting to a message, motorists should check their fine status directly through a secure, verified platform.”
Fines SA’s legitimate platform consolidates verified fine data from more than 250 municipalities, representing over 90% of traffic fine issuing authorities across South Africa. The service allows motorists to view outstanding fines, settle eligible penalties with discounts of up to 50%, and receive real-time updates through secure, verified payment channels.
As scam tactics become increasingly sophisticated, cybersecurity experts stress the importance of verification before making any online payments. Berman noted that “a few minutes spent checking through a trusted platform can prevent financial loss and unnecessary stress.”
Motorists can verify legitimate fines by visiting www.finessa.co.za or downloading the official Fines SA app, available on iOS, Android, and Huawei platforms.
ALSO READ: The 12 scams of Christmas: AI supercharges festive fraud
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