Capitec fraud warning

Capitec warned that consumers need to be wary of South African Police Service (SAPS) impersonation scams, which can lead to victims’ personal information and funds being stolen.

The bank told Daily Investor that impersonation scams work by exploiting victims’ trust, fear, urgency and sense of familiarity.

“Whether criminals pretend to be SAPS, a bank or a courier, the goal is the same – to pressure people into sharing information or moving money,” the bank said.

Capitec urged consumers to take a pause, verify claims and protect their details before acting. “If something feels off, it probably is,” it said.

The bank explained that SAPS impersonation scams tend to ebb and flow in their prevalence, often resurfacing during periods when individuals may be more susceptible to fear-based tactics.

“What matters most is the underlying tactic – fraudsters pose as authorities or trusted institutions to manipulate victims,” the bank said.

“They use high-pressure language, alarming claims and familiar branding to push people into quick decisions.”

According to Capitec, SAPS impersonation fraud typically begins with unsolicited contact claiming that a consumer’s personal details are linked to serious crimes like drug trafficking, human trafficking, suspicious parcels, or fraudulent transactions.

Scammers often use WhatsApp or video calls – channels that SAPS does not use for official communication – to appear convincing, the bank explained.

They may demand payment to avoid arrest or jail time, or request personal information such as ID numbers, banking details, or one-time PINs.

Victims are often instructed not to contact their local police station, with scammers citing corruption or claiming the case is “classified”.

To look more credible, they may transfer the call to supposed high-ranking officers who speak in a formal and authoritative manner to appear legitimate.

Where someone suspects that they may have been targeted by SAPS impersonation fraud, Capitec said they should –

• Contact their bank immediately if they have transferred money or shared any confidential information
• Secure their accounts by changing passwords and PINs
• Do not click links or download apps sent by unknown parties
• Report the incident to SAPS and the relevant platform or network

Impersonation fraud takes many forms

According to Capitec, this is not the only type of impersonation scam consumers need to watch out for, either. Other common scams include seasonal schemes linked to events like Black Friday or SARS eFiling during tax season.

Scammers send emails, WhatsApp messages, or SMSs that mimic official communication from SARS and direct victims to fake websites that steal personal data or install malware.

RCS chief information officer Melanie Botes also recently warned consumers to be careful of Black Friday impersonation scams.

Advances in artificial intelligence are enabling fraudsters to create realistic deep-fake videos, voice recordings and emails that mimic trusted brands or individuals.

“This makes impersonation scams – such as fake product launches or limited offers – far harder to detect,” Botes explained.

Capitec said fraudsters also impersonate banks through spoofed calls or texts claiming there is suspicious activity on an account.

These scammers will then instruct victims to move money to a so-called “safe account”, create virtual cards, or approve reversals.

Something else to watch out for is courier company scams, which involve fake delivery messages requesting a small payment via links that harvest card details.

Scammers pose as popular brands and use fake social media ads or phone calls to lure victims into downloading malware disguised as shopping apps.

In malls, criminals pretend to represent well-known companies offering free vouchers in exchange for personal information.

Finally, Capitec warned that fraudulent online stores use look-alike website addresses and fake payment gateways to capture card details before disappearing once payments are made.