International Fraud Awareness Week, observed from 15 to 21 November 2026, highlights the need for greater vigilance, education and proactive fraud prevention. The annual initiative encourages organisations and individuals to recognise emerging threats, strengthen security measures and collectively combat financial crime in an evolving digital landscape.
“We all need to be more aware of the threats and challenges surrounding us,” says SAFPS CEO Manie van Schalkwyk, “while technology has improved our lives immeasurably, it has introduced significant challenges and each of us must take responsibility and equip ourselves with the relevant knowledge to prevent ourselves from becoming easy targets for cyber criminals.”
A Landscape of Escalating Threats
South Africa faces an increasingly sophisticated fraud landscape, with digital crime exposing significant vulnerabilities among consumers, businesses and financial institutions.
According to the 2026 State of Scams in South Africa Report (prepared and released by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance), 54% of scam-exposed consumers engaged with fraudsters, while 19% suffered financial or data losses. Alarmingly, only 6% reported incidents to authorities. Beyond financial consequences, 77% experienced negative mental health impacts, while 53% encountered repeat victimisation.
Festive Season Fraud: Increased Scam Activity is a Reality
As South Africans prepare for year-end, Black Friday and the festive shopping season, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) warns that increased consumer spending creates multiple opportunities for fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting shoppers.
The scale of shopping activity highlights these risks. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recorded R117.9 billion in total retail trade sales for the broad month of November 2025. This represents a 3.5% year-on-year growth driven largely by Black November campaigns.
Van Schalkwyk points out that criminals exploit heightened online activity through fake emails and websites impersonating legitimate organisations, online marketplaces, as well as deceptive pop-up messages and advertisements promoting fantastic deals. The goal is to steal your money, banking credentials, or personal information.
In addition to great deals on well-known or branded goods, scammers pose as courier companies, customs, or the South African Post Office. They send fake delivery messages with links stating that there is an outstanding payment or that the package is stuck in customs and requires urgent payment before it can be released.
Travel scams also increase during peak holiday periods with fake holiday packages, accommodation, and airline tickets being promoted via emails, messages, and adverts on social media platforms. These direct unsuspecting travellers to fraudulent websites.
“To protect yourself, you should use reputable providers, do not click on any links, and always verify and do your research before you do anything. Be very cautious of deals that seem too good to be true,” adds Van Schalkwyk.
These schemes rely on social engineering, creating urgency and exploiting consumers’ fear of missing out on limited time offers. Such tactics can continue throughout the festive season as online shopping activity intensifies.
Phone Calls From Scammers: A Growing Threat
One particularly concerning threat is vishing, or phone calls from scammers, which combines impersonation, social engineering and technology to manipulate victims. According to Van Schalkwyk, phone calls from scammers has become a preferred tactic among criminal syndicates targeting individuals and corporate employees with access to financial systems.
“Fraudsters impersonate representatives from banks, insurers, mobile service providers or government institutions. They manufacture emergencies, claiming suspicious account activity, unauthorised SIM swaps or security breaches requiring immediate intervention. Victims are pressured into disclosing banking credentials, sharing one-time PINs, clicking malicious links or transferring funds. Criminals frequently exploit personal information to establish credibility and encourage compliance,” warns Van Schalkwyk.
The consequences extend beyond financial losses. Compromised accounts, stolen identities and breached corporate networks demonstrate the dangers of technology-enabled fraud, which points to the growing need for consumer awareness and vigilance.
Empower Yourself: Just Say Goodbye
With fraudsters increasingly exploiting fear, urgency and perceived authority, the SAFPS is reinforcing a simple but powerful message: Just Say Goodbye. This campaign encourages consumers to recognise suspicious calls and disengage before criminals can manipulate them.
Van Schalkwyk warns that fraudsters deliberately create pressure, and their objective is to discourage independent verification while persuading victims to disclose confidential information.
“Make it easy for yourself, just say goodbye and end the call. Immediately thereafter, contact the financial institution through official channels to verify what is happening with your account. No stories, no threats, no intimidation, just say goodbye.”
Suspicious incidents should be reported to the organisation, as well as through the SAFPS’s Yima platform (https://www.yima.org.za). Users can also call the Yima Hotline on 083 123 SCAM (7226), enabling direct reporting to banks and the South African Police Service.
Break the Silence. One conversation at a time.
Fraud thrives in silence, making open conversations essential to breaking the cycle of victimisation. Van Schalkwyk points out that sharing experiences and raising awareness can empower communities to recognise scams and protect themselves.
“Young people, particularly those familiar with digital technology, can play an important role by educating family members, friends and older generations about emerging threats. Victims should never feel ashamed or isolated. By encouraging conversations, supporting victims and sharing knowledge, South Africans can collectively strengthen fraud prevention and resilience,” says Van Schalkwyk.
This International Fraud Awareness Week, combating technology-based crime demands greater vigilance. The Yima website hosts more information about scams, the red flags to look out for, as well as how consumers can protect themselves.
YIMA Website: https://www.yima.org.za
Yima Hotline: 083 123 SCAM (7226)
SAFPS HELP-LINE: 011 867-2234
Meta Description: The SAFPS highlights rising cybercrime threats during International Fraud Awareness Week 2026, urging South Africans to remain vigilant.
