Traffic Fine Scam Warning: How Fraudsters Are Targeting South African Drivers

If you own a car in South Africa, chances are you’ve already received a dreaded SMS or email claiming you owe money for a traffic fine. But a new wave of scams has taken this one step further, and motorists are being warned to be extra cautious before clicking on any payment link.

PayCity sounds the alarm

PayCity, the platform many South Africans use to pay fines, utility bills, and municipal accounts, has confirmed that fraudsters are impersonating the company in order to trick people into handing over money. Fake messages are being sent by email, SMS, and even WhatsApp, complete with links that look like the real thing but are anything but.

The company has stressed that all legitimate communication will always come from the official paycity.co.za domain. Anything else should be treated as a red flag. If you’re unsure, PayCity encourages users to forward suspicious emails to their official email address for verification.

Natis and RTMC back up the warning

South Africa’s Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) echoed the warning in July 2025. It reminded motorists that the National Traffic Information System (Natis) does not send vague payment demands. Real notices include details about your vehicle and direct you to the official Natis portal.

One recent scam demanded R210, then claimed the amount had doubled to R420 because of late payment. Victims were threatened with further penalties but promised a refund if they paid quickly, a classic phishing tactic designed to pressure people into acting fast without thinking.

The RTMC has urged the public to delete such emails immediately, never click on suspicious links, and never share personal details.

Social trust under pressure

For many Joburg drivers, the scams hit a nerve because they arrive at a time when public confidence in traffic enforcement is already shaky. Just recently, the Democratic Alliance accused the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) of imposing a daily fine collection target of R7,000 per officer.

The JMPD strongly denied the allegations, insisting its focus remains on road safety, not revenue generation. Still, the claim sparked debate across social media, with some motorists saying it felt like roadblocks were becoming more about cash flow than public safety.

Why this matters for everyday drivers

The danger of these scams is not just financial loss. They exploit the frustration that many South Africans already feel toward fines, enforcement, and bureaucracy. In a city where drivers are regularly stopped at roadblocks, a fake fine email can easily look convincing.

The lesson is simple: check the sender, verify the domain, and never make a payment through a link you don’t recognise. If in doubt, go directly to PayCity or Natis online and log in through the official websites.

For now, the safest advice is this: treat every unsolicited traffic fine notification with suspicion until you can confirm it’s real.

Also read: Why Chinese and Indian Automakers Are Betting Big on South Africa in 2025

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Source: MyBroadband

Featured Image: Verve, a Credit Union