The Garsfontein Community Policing Forum (CPF) has urged residents to remain vigilant against scams and phishing (scam email) attacks that usually target unsuspecting victims.

The CPF warned that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the ways they manipulate victims.

The warning comes as the CPF and Alpha Security Forum continue raising awareness about the growing number of scams targeting residents through phone calls, text messages, emails, WhatsApp, and online marketplaces.

Garsfontein CPF chairperson Aris Ruyter said victims often only realise they have been scammed after they have already shared personal information or authorised fraudulent transactions.

“Criminals rely on trust, urgency and fear to get victims to act without thinking,” said Ruyter.

He said residents should be particularly wary of fake banking SMSes, emails and WhatsApp messages containing malicious links, as well as calls from fraudsters posing as bank officials, police officers, security companies or other trusted organisations.

Ruyter said among the most common scams currently reported are requests for one-time Pins (OTPs), passwords and banking details, and so-called ‘safe account’ scams where victims are instructed to transfer their money to another account.

He added that criminals use fake courier or delivery messages requesting small payments before parcels can be released, WhatsApp account takeovers, online scams using fake proof of payment, and urgent messages designed to pressure people into acting without verifying the information.

Ruyter stressed that SAPS will never contact members of the public to demand money in exchange for making a criminal case, warrant or investigation disappear.

“Anyone claiming to be an official and requesting money should immediately raise suspicion,” he said.

Alpha Security Forum echoed the warning, saying criminals often exploit trust rather than force.

Fraudsters may already know a victim’s name, banking institution, address or even details of family members, making their scams appear more convincing.

The organisations are encouraging residents to adopt a simple approach when receiving unexpected requests for personal or financial information: stop, verify, and never act under pressure.

“Never share your OTP, Pin or password, and never click on unexpected banking or payment links. Rather contact your bank or the organisation directly using its official contact details,” Ruyter said.

He also encouraged residents to report scam attempts, even if no money was lost.

“Reporting attempted scams helps identify new numbers, methods and trends, allowing us to warn the wider community and prevent more people from becoming victims.”

The CPF and Alpha Security Forum urged residents to remain cautious and to verify any suspicious communication before responding, particularly where money or sensitive personal information is involved.

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