FRAUDSTERS REMAIN ACTIVE as SOUTH AFRICANS FACE NEW YEAR FINANCIAL PRESSURES (January 2026)
- bullionpr2
- Jan 14
- 1 min read
As South Africans return from the festive season with renewed energy, many households are confronted with the financial realities of a new year. For thousands of families, the beginning of the year is marked by registration fees, textbook purchases, and accommodation deposits for students entering universities and colleges. Yet, alongside this excitement, fraudsters are seizing the opportunity to exploit vulnerable consumers.
“Continuing from Black Friday and the Festive Season, this is one of the busiest times for scammers,” warns Manie van Schalkwyk, CEO of the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). “The combination of high expenses and the urgent need for cash makes people more susceptible to scams.”
