Traffic fine warning for motorists in this South African province

Residents of KwaZulu-Natal have been warned that traffic-fine scam messages in the province have become so rampant that even those who do not own vehicles are being targeted.

This is according to the province’s MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, who called on his Head of the Department and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to alert and protect the public.

Following another warning from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the MEC announced that his department has experienced an influx of complaints and queries about fake traffic fine messages.

“These come from motorists, including ordinary members of society who do not own vehicles,” explained Duma.

“Individuals are being threatened with arrest and also forced to pay traffic fines through fake links. Such links have been created to steal personal banking information.”

The MEC declared that he has mandated HOD Zibusiso Dlamini to work alongside the RTI to cushion motorists and innocent members of society against criminals.

The KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements informed the province’s motorists that there are only four payment options for traffic camera fines, these being:

• In person at the Traffic Camera Office in Pinetown, 4 Aubrey Road,
• Through the link www.paycity.co.za,
• Via SpeedPoint at fine recovery operations, and
• Section 56 written notices must be paid at the relevant courts.

“Importantly, last year we introduced a SMART Roadblock, which involves the introduction of a pay point service,” added MEC Duma.

“This allows a motorist to settle their outstanding debt on the spot at the side of the road.”

He added that the province is utilising an advanced digital device carried by the RTI. This device detects outstanding fines, and offenders are given a chance to pay through PayCity using a QR code.

Scammers taking advantage of AARTO rollout

Scammers are already taking advantage of the confusion surrounding the launch of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO).

The RTMC has warned motorists and vehicle owners to remain vigilant amid the rollout, and be careful when interacting with any digital communication regarding the payment of outstanding traffic fines.

It highlighted that there is a scam circulating currently, which demands motorists make immediate payments for outstanding traffic fines.

“Vehicle owners are advised to exercise vigilance not to fall prey to digital scammers who are sending scam emails through fraudulent websites designed to confuse them and steal money or personal information,” said the RTMC.

“We have discovered a scam email purporting to be ‘official communication from the National Traffic Information System’ (NaTIS) and the Department of Transport.”

The corporation highlighted that the scam email, which demands immediate action from motorists to settle outstanding fees for overdue traffic fines, uses an illicit URL.

“The URL address is natis.online.services. This is fake and a scam, and its connection is unsecured,” it declared.

“We put it on record that the RTMC, through its online services website, does not send fine notices to motorists.”

According to the corporation, motorists should treat any fine notice purporting to be from the https://online.natis.gov.za/#/ as a scam

Traffic infringements under the new system are served electronically via the AARTO website, through confirmed digital addresses, or regular mail, with sensitive notices sent via Registered Mail.