ID Theft on the Rise

The S.A.P.S. Case Against You SCAM This scam cycles around every now and then. Since it is still going strong, it seems the criminal syndicate behind it have not yet been caught. This scam is quite simple yet effective and begins with the victim receiving an SMS ostensibly from the S.A.P.S. advising them that they have a case opened against them. Of course the recipient tends to panic and their first reaction is to call the number given on the SMS and co-operate in every way ...possible. They call the number and get an efficient response from the other end with a request of how they may assist you. You ask for Constable Zwane (or whichever name is referenced in the SMS). It is likely the name changes on different SMS’s and/or regions so that the scammers can track which scam campaign the victim is responding to. The operator then asks for some personal information which might include the correct spelling of your name, ID number and other personal details so that they can “look up your case number”. The information they glean from the victim potentially leads to ID theft. Using your details they can open credit accounts at certain stores, obtain loans from less reputable sources, buy sim cards and a whole host of other endeavours. They then rack up a shopping spree all in your name. The big clue in all this is of course the SMS itself. There is an actual example of one posted with this article (dated 23 August 2015, showing how recent this scam is). The incorrect use of the auxiliary verb, “have” instead of “has” aside, there is no reference number and no direction as to who the case is against. It is just too vague. The S.A.P.S. do use SMS’s to communicate updates about certain cases which include the investigating officers details and the case number, but they do not send SMS informing members of the public that they are a suspect in a crime or that a case is opened against them. If you do get an SMS like this DO NOT RESPOND. If you feel inclined, report it to your local police station. In theory since a contact number is given by the cybercriminal, it could be traced but I have not been able to confirm any successful investigation into this scam since versions of it began over a year ago. The best defence against scams of any kind is INFORMATION. Be AWARE and SHARE with as many people as possible. Post this article on your local forums, neighbourhood watch and interest groups. The more people that know, the more people will be saved from this scam. Feel free to visit the Scammed Facebook Page (no it’s not a scam) and read our other articles about the latest cons, hoaxes and scams affecting South Africans. http://www.facebook.com/consandhoaxesrevealed.