Police issue warning to anyone with traffic fines in South Africa

Motorists in South Africa have been warned to remain vigilant following an increase in reports of scammers claiming to represent traffic services or authorities.

The warning was issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS), which noted that fraudulent emails, SMS messages and phone calls have been circulating since the launch of the AARTO Act in over 60 municipalities nationwide.

SAPS warned that these scammers are impersonating the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS), municipal traffic services or other traffic authorities.

“In these scams, recipients are informed that they have outstanding traffic fines and are pressured to make immediate payment to avoid additional penalties, legal action or increased fees,” the police explained.

“These messages often contain links to fraudulent websites or payment portals designed to steal personal and financial information.”

It urged members of the public to exercise caution and not respond to unsolicited messages demanding immediate payment.

Some warning signs of possible scams include the following:

• Unsolicited emails or messages requesting payment of traffic fines;
• Threats of immediate legal action or increased penalties if payment is not made without delay;
• Requests to click on unfamiliar links or provide banking or personal information; and
• Notices that do not contain accurate personal details, vehicle registration information or legitimate infringement reference numbers.

Legitimate traffic infringement notices are issued solely through official channels, and payment should be made via recognised government or authorised payment platforms after verifying a fine’s authenticity.

“Anyone who receives a suspicious message or suspects they have been targeted by fraud is advised not to make any payment, not to click on embedded links, and to report the matter to the South African Police Service,” SAPS said.

“Where financial information may have been compromised, affected persons should immediately notify their banking institution.”

Scammers already taking advantage of AARTO rollout

Following the expanded rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) to 62 municipalities, scammers are using the opportunity to capitalise on the confusion.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has joined the police in warning motorists and vehicle owners to remain vigilant amid the AARTO rollout.

It also urged them to be careful when interacting with digital communication regarding the payment of outstanding traffic fines, especially with circulating scams demanding motorists make immediate payments.

“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 scam emails, which demand motorists take immediate action to settle outstanding fees on overdue traffic fines, make use of an illicit URL, which motorists need to take note of.

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

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

The corporation urged motorists to treat any fine notice purporting to be from the URL https://online.natis.gov.za/#/ as a scam, and not interact with it.

It explained that 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.