As South Africans hit the roads for the festive season, scammers are exploiting fear and confusion around traffic fines, sending official-looking messages to intimidate drivers into paying money they do not owe.
With the rollout of the new AARTO system, criminals are posing as PayCity, Fines SA, and even traffic authorities, sending threatening SMSes and emails warning of “outstanding fines,” imminent warrants of arrest, or blocked vehicle licence renewals. The messages are designed to pressure motorists into making immediate payments before they can verify the claims.
Rob Hutchinson, founder of DearSA, said scammers are capitalising on the holiday rush and the anxiety surrounding the new traffic laws.
“They know that with the increase in roadblocks this festive season, we are all anxious about being pulled over,” he said.
While the scams are fake, the changes to South Africa’s road rules are very real. Under the newly rolled-out AARTO system, traffic offences are handled administratively rather than through criminal courts. Drivers receive infringement notices instead of summonses and have a fixed period to pay a fine at a discount, challenge it, or nominate another driver. If ignored, penalties escalate.
A key feature of AARTO is the demerit points system, where points are added to a driver’s licence for each infringement depending on the severity of the offence. Drivers start with zero points, and exceeding the threshold can lead to licence suspension, with repeated violations potentially resulting in cancellation. The system aims to improve road safety and accountability.
Hutchinson cautioned motorists to remain vigilant. “With stricter roadblocks and higher traffic police visibility this festive season, drivers should ensure they are aware of any legitimate fines but also be alert to scammers preying on fear and confusion to steal hard-earned money,” he said.
He also offered practical advice on how to identify fake messages.
“These scams often rely on urgency and threats, such as ‘Warrant of Arrest issued’ or ‘Final Notice before summons,’ to scare people into paying immediately,” Hutchinson explained. “They frequently include suspicious links, unusual web addresses, generic fine amounts, or come from unknown mobile numbers rather than official short codes. One common ruse even impersonates PayCity, claiming you owe R950 and demanding immediate payment.”
To help motorists verify the legitimacy of fines, Hutchinson said DearSA has partnered with Fines SA, a legitimate service that consolidates data from more than 250 municipalities and retrieves official records directly from traffic authorities.
“If a fine does not appear on the Fines SA platform, it is likely not legitimate. Checking gives you peace of mind, helps identify scams, and ensures you know about any real outstanding fines before travelling during the holidays,” he said.
Hutchinson urged drivers not to panic. “If you receive a suspicious message, do not click on it. Close the message and check your status securely through the Fines SA platform.”
The Star