Netcare has issued an alert, particularly to smaller suppliers and service providers, about a recent scam in which criminals pose as Netcare representatives and set up fake business meetings with existing and prospective vendors.

“We are warning businesses and individuals to be vigilant about a new scam where criminals impersonating Netcare staff reach out to request a business meeting at a Netcare facility with the real intention of defrauding them,” says Netcare spokesperson Lynne O’Connor.

As part of the criminals’ modus operandi, when the intended victim of the scam accepts the fake meeting request, they are given contact details to call prior to arriving at the meeting.

On the way to the appointment, the person receives an urgent request to make a payment by purchasing vouchers at a nearby fuel station or via online banking, and is falsely promised reimbursement at the meeting, only to discover that it is a scam upon arrival at the Netcare venue.

“We are warning anyone who receives such requests that these activities are fraudulent. Netcare has not authorised any such requests or engagements, and the telephone numbers used in the scam are not associated with us,” O’Connor emphasises.

Tips to avoid falling victim to this scam

• Verify all your engagements – Only accept meetings or service requests confirmed through official Netcare channels. Cross-check contact details using known Netcare directories, rather than relying on the phone numbers provided by the caller.
• Be cautious of urgent requests – Treat any last-minute or urgent payment requests with suspicion, especially when on your way to a meeting. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prevent proper verification.
• Beware of requests involving digital payment methods – Never make a payment on behalf of anyone claiming to represent Netcare, even if they promise to reimburse you.
• Confirm appointments independently – Before travelling, confirm the meeting with a verified Netcare contact or department.
• Identify red flags – Being asked to “call before arrival” on an unverified number, requests involving payments at fuel stations or retail stores, or voucher purchases, and claims that “systems are offline”.

“Legitimate Netcare processes will never require this, and our fraud team strongly advises pausing and verifying before making payment, especially where urgency and digital payment methods are concerned,” O’Connor says.

Anyone affected is encouraged to open a case with the SA Police Service directly and report the matter immediately to fraud@netcare.co.za