PRETORIA, Gauteng — Authorities are issuing urgent warnings about a widespread traffic fine scam targeting South African motorists through fraudulent emails, SMS messages, and automated phone calls. Criminals are exploiting the dread of outstanding infringements by demanding immediate payment under the threat of severe penalties, directing victims to sophisticated fake websites designed to harvest money and sensitive banking information.
According to Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) spokesperson Monde Mkalipi, the scam relies on a potent mix of fear and confusion. Fraudsters frequently send these threatening messages during weekends, evenings, and public holidays, warning victims of impending arrest or blocked licenses if they do not pay up immediately.
How to Spot a Fake Infringement Notice
Mkalipi highlighted several red flags that drivers should look out for when receiving an unexpected traffic fine notification. Notably, many of the fraudulent notices cite completely outdated infringements, sometimes dating back to 2018 or even 2011. Because the RTIA database primarily holds recent violations, these historical claims are a clear indicator of a blanket “phishing” attempt rather than a legitimate legal notice.
“It is important that road users keep in touch with the RTIA to check their status regularly to avoid falling into these traps,” Mkalipi advised. He stressed that motorists should never click on links or make payments directly from unsolicited messages.
While the RTIA does collaborate with colleagues at the post office regarding fine payments, Mkalipi emphasized that verifying the contents of any suspicious SMS or email directly with the authority is the most critical step before attempting any transaction. If a motorist simply clicks and pays without verifying, the funds are often siphoned directly to the scammers rather than the RTIA.
Official Channels and Verification Steps
To combat the scam, the RTIA is urging the public to proactively check their fine status at least once a week via official channels.
If a motorist receives a suspicious message, they should contact the RTIA call center at 0861227861. The line is operational Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 16:00. Callers are encouraged to provide their ID numbers to the agents for accurate and secure verification. Outside of these business hours, motorists should only use the approved payment platforms listed on the official websites.
Mkalipi clarified that the only legitimate portals for checking fines and making payments are aarto.gov.za and the corporate site, rtia.co.za.
“Any other website that does not fall within that ambit has not been authorized by us,” Mkalipi stated, specifically noting that unauthorized platforms claiming to handle AARTO demerit points are entirely fraudulent.
Ongoing Investigations and AI Threats
The agency’s legal services division is actively investigating how scammers are accessing vehicle owner databases. While it remains unclear exactly where the fraudsters are sourcing their contact information, the RTIA is working swiftly to close down the illicit websites and bring the perpetrators to book. A specific case regarding one of the primary fake websites is currently under active investigation.
Addressing modern concerns about the potential use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by cybercriminals to enhance and scale their scams, Mkalipi noted that the RTIA is aggressively countering these threats through a massive public information campaign.
The agency is currently flooding social media with warnings and hosting face-to-face administrative training workshops with stakeholders, including fleet management organizations and proxies. These direct engagements are designed to disseminate accurate information and help companies block fraudulent attempts to siphon funds from their fleets. Furthermore, the RTIA is preparing to release a series of instructional videos to visually guide the public toward verified, secure payment channels.
