Motorists in South Africa are being sent fake traffic fine notices that demand urgent payment to avoid penalties.
The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has confirmed that the messages, which are claim to be traffic fines issued under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act are fraudulent and should be ignored.
These communications are usually sent via email.
“Please be cautious of fraudulent websites pretending to be the official Aarto website. These fake sites may be used to scam the public and steal personal or payment information,” said the RTIA.
“The only official Aarto website is aarto.gov.za. Do not make payments or provide personal details on any other website claiming to be Aarto.”
The agency shared an example of the type of scam email making the rounds in South Africa.
It uses the subject line Final Notice: Action Required to Avoid Additional Penalties.
“Important deadline: Please settle this balance within 24 hours to prevent a further increase to 645.00 ZAR,” it reads.
“By completing your payment today, you will automatically be eligible for a waiver of the penalty fees, which will be processed within 12 hours of the transaction.”
The email is signed by “eNATS Online | Vehicle License Disc Renewal”, which is already a giveaway since it misspells eNATIS.
Another telltale sign that this is a scam is the fact that the communication is sent via email. The RTIA previously confirmed to our sister publication, MyBroadband, that the electronic servicing of Aarto documents has yet to be approved.
RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi warned motorists to delete any electronic communications demanding payments for taking fines, emphasizing that these are fraudulent messages.
“The threatening emails that are being sent out to road users are illegal, demanding payments for traffic fines,” he said.
“Road users are urged to ignore these emails. No law is currently in place in South Africa stating that Aarto traffic fines should be served in this manner.”
Mkalipi added that most of these emails are sent to potential victims after working hours, especially on weekends.
“Currently, Aarto infringements are only served through personal means or registered mail.”
Motorists have rights when dealing with real Aarto fines
Aarto has yet to be rolled out nationwide and is currently only in effect in a limited capacity in the Joburg and Tshwane metros.
What’s more, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla recently confirmed that officers cannot arrest drivers for outstanding traffic fines.
While officers at roadblocks and traffic stops can advise and even persuade motorists to pay their fines, they cannot compel them to do so.
“They can’t force you to pay,” said Fihla, adding that they cannot arrest motorists for unpaid fines.
The exception is that motorists can be arrested for unpaid fines under the Criminal Procedure Act if a warrant has been issued for their offences.
Once Aarto is fully implemented across the country, the system for issuing traffic fines will go through multiple stages.
The authorities will first issue an enforcement notice, which will later be followed by a courtesy letter if unanswered.
If this is also ignored, the motorist will receive an enforcement order.
When a notice is issued, the person will be blocked from renewing their driver’s licence card and vehicle licence disc until their fines have been settled.
Aarto was supposed to go live on 1 December 2025, but was delayed to 1 July 2026.
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