The end of toll gates as we know them in South Africa

Toll concessionaires in South Africa are increasingly phasing out swipe payments in favour of tap-and-go and biometric authentication.

This comes amid a rise in crime targeting toll gates in the country, with instances of card cloning and hijacking being among the most prevalent in these locations.

“With over R3 billion lost to fraud, tollgates have become a key target for criminals using skimming devices to steal banking details,” said Richard Frost, Head of Technology and Innovation at Armata Cyber Security.

The contactless payment solutions are therefore being piloted to increase safety for toll patrons whilst simultaneously decreasing travel times.

Fortifying your finances

On a busy day, the N3 toll route between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng experiences upwards of 2,000 vehicles passing the toll gates every hour.

The average car spends R326.50 to travel to Durban from Johannesburg, presenting a lucrative revenue stream for nefarious individuals

As a result, the method of payment for these tolls has changed in recent months.

As of November 2024, the N3 and N4 rolled out tap-and-go payments using a pilot system introduced by FNB in partnership with Visa.

As of 1 December 2024, many of these tollgates stopped allowing motorists to pay using the swipe system.

Banks including Nedbank have likewise stopped allowing its clients to swipe their debit cards as of January 2025, with others expected to follow suit.

“While some toll concessions, such as Sanral, will be accepting magstripe payments until as late as May 2025, the payment method is coming to a sharp, swift end,” said Frost.

“Why? Because tollgates have been identified as one of the most prominent locations for fraud.”

Criminals are increasingly using technologies such as overlay skimmers or wireless devices to capture card information and then use it to make fraudulent transactions, costing their victims dearly in the process and creating headaches for banks who have to verify the fraudulent activities and refund their clients.

“The answer lies in how easy it is for fraudsters to clone your cards and steal your money, especially when you won’t notice as tiny amounts disappear from your account,” said Frost.

“Often, the scammers – who find it very easy to copy your card in the few seconds it’s sitting in the tollgate booth – don’t extract huge amounts of money when they gain access to your card. They make tiny transactions that often go unnoticed until it’s too late.”

While tap-and-go has consequently emerged as the preferred payment solution for South African motorists at toll gates, it must be emphasised that even this method presents risks if you’re using a card as it rarely has a safety net.

When available, the best course of action is therefore to skip tap-and-go and instead opt into using a device that has biometric authentication.

“Your phone, for example, requires facial ID before it allows a transaction,” said Frost.

“You are ensuring that every transaction on your card is being made by a device that’s protected, and reduces the risk of that card being stolen.”

Tapping your card, using a smartphone, or employing an e-tag remain the best ways to navigate a toll plaza as they remove the human element.

“Nobody touches your card or the payment system except for you, preventing anyone from cloning or stealing your details,” said Frost.

“It’s also far more secure than using cash, which can be easily lost or stolen.”

He also implored drivers to consider the following tips to protect their cards and their cash as they travel toll roads:

• Have cash stored in your vehicle in a secure, hard to find space. Only take the maximum amount you will need for your trip, and use the time in the queue to take out the correct number of bills.
• If you are using an e-tag, ensure you are topped up and there’s no risk of you having to use an alternative method of payment. 
• Adjust your tap and go amounts manually, and ensure you set a pin for any transactions over a certain amount.

“While these measures may seem draconian or dramatic, the reality is that fraud is on the increase with the SABRIC Annual Crime Statistics Report 2023, released in November 2024, putting the cost of this crime at more than R3 billion,” concludes Frost.

“Stick to tap-and-go or tag payments at tollgates to ensure your finances are protected.”