Vishing (Phone Calls)

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SCAM TYPES & HOW TO STAY SAFE

Vishing (Phone Calls)

Scammers phone individuals posing as a representative from an established organisation like a bank, mobile service provider, insurer, retailer, government body or even the police. This is also known as voice phishing or vishing.

The aim is to manipulate individuals into revealing personal or confidential information (ID number, login credentials, card number, bank details, etc.) and then this information is used to defraud the victim.

Scammers also use various tactics to try and get their hands on your hard-earned money or to gain access to systems and accounts you own or may be privy to.

Popular Scenarios

These are some of the tactics used by scammers when phoning potential victims:

Claiming they are from the fraud department at your bank and that they have detected fraud on your account or that they are following up on a fraud incident, and they need you to verify details.
That someone has requested a SIM swop on your number and to stop this, you need to provide a one-time pin.
That there is a problem with your account and your money needs to be moved to another account for safe keeping.
Some scammers even target people’s life savings by using information they have on you to convince you to invest in something that promises wonderful returns.
Claiming that they are hosting an online event/ meeting (which supports their scam objective - like an investment opportunity for example) on popular messaging or social media platforms. They send an invite while on the phone with a one-time pin, which they ask you to read back to them to confirm your participation/ access to the event.

How To Spot It

These are the red flags you should look out for:

The call is unsolicited. You receive an unexpected call claiming there's fraud, unusual activity, or a problem with your account, intended to manipulate you into acting quickly.
They pressure you to act quickly. Be wary of a sense of urgency or pressure. Scammers try to rush you into making a decision or acting quickly, often threatening negative consequences if you do not follow their instructions. Like requesting you to click on a link that they send to you while you are on the call with them.
They ask for confidential information. The person on the call may ask you for personal or confidential information, like your ID number, login credentials, banking details, account information, and PIN. Legitimate organisations will never ask for confidential information like your banking PIN or login.
They are vague. Scammers will often avoid providing further details or formal contact information or transferring the call to a manager and may become agitated when they are asked for more information.
Unusual payment methods. They may ask you to make payment via vouchers, cryptocurrency or a link that they will send to you.
Poor call quality. There may be suspicious background noise, static, or it sounds like an unnatural (robotic) voice, which can indicate a fraudulent call.

What To Do

How do you handle a situation where you are faced with one of these calls?

Just say goodbye. If you did not expect this call and you do not recognise the number or person, just say goodbye. Do not press any buttons, share one-time-pins, or respond to pop-ups. Just say goodbye and end the call.
Do not share information. Never give them any personal or financial details over the phone.
Verify the call. Contact the organisation using the official phone number listed on their website, in your account statement, or through their official channels. Contact the relevant department and confirm that the call request was legitimate.
Report it. Report the suspicious call to the relevant organisation and/ or authorities. You can also report it to the Yima reporting function below, as well as the Yima scams hotline.

Report a Scam

SCAM TYPES & HOW TO STAY SAFE

Advance Fee/ Deposit
You are advised that you need to provide a payment such as a deposit, tax, or service fee for a transaction or service to be provided. The scam may involve the receipt of a prize, inheritance or to have a gift delivered to you, that you may not be aware off. In another scenario you may also be requested to pay insurance fees or administration fees for a loan application, which is common in a loan scam. Only companies registered with National Credit Regulator may offer loans. Always check their details on the NCR's website and contact the institution directly using the number on the NCR's website to confirm the application process and any offers received for a loan.
FIND OUT MORE
Change of Banking Details
A scammer contacts you pretending to work for your bank, or other organisation. You are falsely led to believe that you must update your contact details, usernames, and passwords.
FIND OUT MORE
Investments / Trading
You are encouraged to take up a fake investment opportunity by a fraudster using technical financial lingo & numbers to impress you. Once you make the 'investment' payment, the fraudster either demands additional payments to smooth the process or disappears entirely.
FIND OUT MORE
Malware & Phishing
A link is emailed or SMSed to you. You innocently click on the link which then loads the malware onto your device. Scammers can now load key loggers and viruses onto your device, allowing them to control your device, shut it down or phish (or 'fish for') your data.
FIND OUT MORE
Money Mules
The misuse of a bank account by the account holder, in order to transfer or move illegal funds on someone else's behalf.
FIND OUT MORE
Online Shopping scams
A scammer creates a fake online store, or imitate a popular online store you often shop at, advertising popular goods and services. The scammer may also advertise specials via internet browsers such as Google or Edge, or social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) to fool you into visiting the fake online store. Once you make a purchase, your credit card and personal details are phished. The transaction may be successfully processed, so it appears to be an actual purchase. However, the goods are not delivered, your money is not refunded and in most cases the company cannot be contacted.
FIND OUT MORE
Porting Cell Number/ Sim Swops
A fraudster, pretending to be you, calls your cell phone service provider and asks for a new SIM card or to transfer your number - also called “porting” - to a new service provider. The fraudster will then have access to any OTP (one-time password) or 2-factor authentication requests sent to your number. This will allow the scammer to update your passwords and take control of your accounts and social media profiles.
FIND OUT MORE
Purchase Scams
You are offered fictitious goods and/or services at very attractive prices or big discounts. Once you make the payment, the goods/ services are never delivered, or the product advertised is not the product delivered. Your personal and payment details are also phished if the transaction was completed online.
FIND OUT MORE
Push Payment Fraud
You are persuaded to make a real-time (immediate) payment to a fraudster either impersonating a company employee, or offering false investment or business services, generally via social media channels. Once the payment is made, your funds are immediately withdrawn - you've been scammed.
FIND OUT MORE
Remote Access Scams
You are contacted by a scammer posing as a service provider known to you, who requests “remote access” to your device to make a security check or transaction. Once you accept the invite / access request, the scammer takes control of your device, with complete access to all accounts linked to your device.
FIND OUT MORE
Romance/ Online Dating scams
A scammer uses social media or dating applications to gain your trust and may even enter your life intimately, then uses this trust to extort funds by emotionally abusing and/or blackmailing you.
FIND OUT MORE
Ancestry Scams
The scammer manipulates and abuses local African culture and beliefs to scam you out of your funds. You are profiled in advance and lead to believe that a deceased member of your family, concerned about your wellbeing, has made contact via a particular sangoma (traditional healer) and urgently needs to discuss the problem. You are then asked to meet with the sangoma, where the scammers drug you using hallucinogens, and then convince you into completing certain tasks or financial transactions scamming you of your money.
FIND OUT MORE
Commodity Scams
Scammers pretending to be high profile businesspeople in the mining sector, invested in the precious metals, gems and other valuable commodities, arrange a ‘chance’ meet-up after profiling you in advance. The scammer entices you into purchasing a precious gem or stone containing valuable metals. The stones are polished to resemble the raw material and assessors in league with the scammers issue fake certificates to authenticate the commodity.
FIND OUT MORE
Advance Fee/ Deposit
You are advised that you need to provide a payment such as a deposit, tax, or service fee for a transaction or service to be provided. The scam may involve the receipt of a prize, inheritance or to have a gift delivered to you, that you may not be aware off. In another scenario you may also be requested to pay insurance fees or administration fees for a loan application, which is common in a loan scam. Only companies registered with National Credit Regulator may offer loans. Always check their details on the NCR's website and contact the institution directly using the number on the NCR's website to confirm the application process and any offers received for a loan.
FIND OUT MORE
Change of Banking Details
A scammer contacts you pretending to work for your bank, or other organisation. You are falsely led to believe that you must update your contact details, usernames, and passwords.
FIND OUT MORE
Investments / Trading
You are encouraged to take up a fake investment opportunity by a fraudster using technical financial lingo & numbers to impress you. Once you make the 'investment' payment, the fraudster either demands additional payments to smooth the process or disappears entirely.
FIND OUT MORE
Malware & Phishing
A link is emailed or SMSed to you. You innocently click on the link which then loads the malware onto your device. Scammers can now load key loggers and viruses onto your device, allowing them to control your device, shut it down or phish (or 'fish for') your data.
FIND OUT MORE
Money Mules
The misuse of a bank account by the account holder, in order to transfer or move illegal funds on someone else's behalf.
FIND OUT MORE
Online Shopping scams
A scammer creates a fake online store, or imitate a popular online store you often shop at, advertising popular goods and services. The scammer may also advertise specials via internet browsers such as Google or Edge, or social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) to fool you into visiting the fake online store. Once you make a purchase, your credit card and personal details are phished. The transaction may be successfully processed, so it appears to be an actual purchase. However, the goods are not delivered, your money is not refunded and in most cases the company cannot be contacted.
FIND OUT MORE
Porting Cell Number/ Sim Swops
A fraudster, pretending to be you, calls your cell phone service provider and asks for a new SIM card or to transfer your number - also called “porting” - to a new service provider. The fraudster will then have access to any OTP (one-time password) or 2-factor authentication requests sent to your number. This will allow the scammer to update your passwords and take control of your accounts and social media profiles.
FIND OUT MORE
Purchase Scams
You are offered fictitious goods and/or services at very attractive prices or big discounts. Once you make the payment, the goods/ services are never delivered, or the product advertised is not the product delivered. Your personal and payment details are also phished if the transaction was completed online.
FIND OUT MORE
Push Payment Fraud
You are persuaded to make a real-time (immediate) payment to a fraudster either impersonating a company employee, or offering false investment or business services, generally via social media channels. Once the payment is made, your funds are immediately withdrawn - you've been scammed.
FIND OUT MORE
Remote Access Scams
You are contacted by a scammer posing as a service provider known to you, who requests “remote access” to your device to make a security check or transaction. Once you accept the invite / access request, the scammer takes control of your device, with complete access to all accounts linked to your device.
FIND OUT MORE
Romance/ Online Dating scams
A scammer uses social media or dating applications to gain your trust and may even enter your life intimately, then uses this trust to extort funds by emotionally abusing and/or blackmailing you.
FIND OUT MORE
Ancestry Scams
The scammer manipulates and abuses local African culture and beliefs to scam you out of your funds. You are profiled in advance and lead to believe that a deceased member of your family, concerned about your wellbeing, has made contact via a particular sangoma (traditional healer) and urgently needs to discuss the problem. You are then asked to meet with the sangoma, where the scammers drug you using hallucinogens, and then convince you into completing certain tasks or financial transactions scamming you of your money.
FIND OUT MORE
Commodity Scams
Scammers pretending to be high profile businesspeople in the mining sector, invested in the precious metals, gems and other valuable commodities, arrange a ‘chance’ meet-up after profiling you in advance. The scammer entices you into purchasing a precious gem or stone containing valuable metals. The stones are polished to resemble the raw material and assessors in league with the scammers issue fake certificates to authenticate the commodity.
FIND OUT MORE
Advance Fee/ Deposit
You are advised that you need to provide a payment such as a deposit, tax, or service fee for a transaction or service to be provided. The scam may involve the receipt of a prize, inheritance or to have a gift delivered to you, that you may not be aware off. In another scenario you may also be requested to pay insurance fees or administration fees for a loan application, which is common in a loan scam. Only companies registered with National Credit Regulator may offer loans. Always check their details on the NCR's website and contact the institution directly using the number on the NCR's website to confirm the application process and any offers received for a loan.
FIND OUT MORE
Change of Banking Details
A scammer contacts you pretending to work for your bank, or other organisation. You are falsely led to believe that you must update your contact details, usernames, and passwords.
FIND OUT MORE
Investments / Trading
You are encouraged to take up a fake investment opportunity by a fraudster using technical financial lingo & numbers to impress you. Once you make the 'investment' payment, the fraudster either demands additional payments to smooth the process or disappears entirely.
FIND OUT MORE
Malware & Phishing
A link is emailed or SMSed to you. You innocently click on the link which then loads the malware onto your device. Scammers can now load key loggers and viruses onto your device, allowing them to control your device, shut it down or phish (or 'fish for') your data.
FIND OUT MORE
Money Mules
The misuse of a bank account by the account holder, in order to transfer or move illegal funds on someone else's behalf.
FIND OUT MORE
Online Shopping scams
A scammer creates a fake online store, or imitate a popular online store you often shop at, advertising popular goods and services. The scammer may also advertise specials via internet browsers such as Google or Edge, or social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) to fool you into visiting the fake online store. Once you make a purchase, your credit card and personal details are phished. The transaction may be successfully processed, so it appears to be an actual purchase. However, the goods are not delivered, your money is not refunded and in most cases the company cannot be contacted.
FIND OUT MORE
Porting Cell Number/ Sim Swops
A fraudster, pretending to be you, calls your cell phone service provider and asks for a new SIM card or to transfer your number - also called “porting” - to a new service provider. The fraudster will then have access to any OTP (one-time password) or 2-factor authentication requests sent to your number. This will allow the scammer to update your passwords and take control of your accounts and social media profiles.
FIND OUT MORE
Purchase Scams
You are offered fictitious goods and/or services at very attractive prices or big discounts. Once you make the payment, the goods/ services are never delivered, or the product advertised is not the product delivered. Your personal and payment details are also phished if the transaction was completed online.
FIND OUT MORE
Push Payment Fraud
You are persuaded to make a real-time (immediate) payment to a fraudster either impersonating a company employee, or offering false investment or business services, generally via social media channels. Once the payment is made, your funds are immediately withdrawn - you've been scammed.
FIND OUT MORE
Remote Access Scams
You are contacted by a scammer posing as a service provider known to you, who requests “remote access” to your device to make a security check or transaction. Once you accept the invite / access request, the scammer takes control of your device, with complete access to all accounts linked to your device.
FIND OUT MORE
Romance/ Online Dating scams
A scammer uses social media or dating applications to gain your trust and may even enter your life intimately, then uses this trust to extort funds by emotionally abusing and/or blackmailing you.
FIND OUT MORE
Ancestry Scams
The scammer manipulates and abuses local African culture and beliefs to scam you out of your funds. You are profiled in advance and lead to believe that a deceased member of your family, concerned about your wellbeing, has made contact via a particular sangoma (traditional healer) and urgently needs to discuss the problem. You are then asked to meet with the sangoma, where the scammers drug you using hallucinogens, and then convince you into completing certain tasks or financial transactions scamming you of your money.
FIND OUT MORE
Commodity Scams
Scammers pretending to be high profile businesspeople in the mining sector, invested in the precious metals, gems and other valuable commodities, arrange a ‘chance’ meet-up after profiling you in advance. The scammer entices you into purchasing a precious gem or stone containing valuable metals. The stones are polished to resemble the raw material and assessors in league with the scammers issue fake certificates to authenticate the commodity.
FIND OUT MORE