Secure Citizen and SAFPS

[SubtleBeast]

Recently came across Secure Citizen and the South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) while interacting with a major online marketplace.

I was required to provide biometric data before any transaction could proceed.

Has anyone had any dealings with either organisation?

 

[Bunta]

Received a call from SAFPS in November.
lady explained that there seemed to be a fraudulent transaction using my ID.
I said bock the transaction and she then asked if I would like to keep my ID listed. I said yes.
Since then, i had to upgrade cell number and bought a car through finance. Both transactions were blocked by SAFPS due to the listing.
I then had to jump through a few hoops to understand the process.
Because I was a victim of ID theft, I had to get a letter from SAFPS and RCS indicating that the listng on my record is as a VICTIM.
Submitted this letter to the Cell provider and the Bank, then the applications went through.
Was told to only give the letters to the institute where im applying for "credit".

 

[Snyper564]

Recently came across Secure Citizen and the South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) while interacting with a major online marketplace.

I was required to provide biometric data before any transaction could proceed.

Has anyone had any dealings with either organisation?

I have had with SAFPS these are not ppl you wanna mess with.

I was incorrectly flagged 3 years ago and basically blocked from opening any bank account in SA.

Found this out trying to open an account and was told it was flagged, I asked why they said they couldnt say anything contact SAFPS.

I had to get a written letter from the bank (that incorrectly flagged my name) clearing my name and indicating it was incorrect to start with. Then only was I removed from the DB and life continued as normal

You can see what happens if you end up on this list here.

How one man's life was ruined after asking uncomfortable questions of FNB

Durban-based Nav Chan started questioning FNB's eBucks rewards calculations. Weeks later his accounts were cancelled and he found himself listed on a secretive banking database operated by SA Fraud Prevention Services. Suddenly, his business started to take a dive.

www.acts.co.za

 

[SubtleBeast]

I have had with SAFPS these are not ppl you wanna mess with.

I was incorrectly flagged 3 years ago and basically blocked from opening any bank account in SA.

Found this out trying to open an account and was told it was flagged, I asked why they said they couldnt say anything contact SAFPS.

I had to get a written letter from the bank (that incorrectly flagged my name) clearing my name and indicating it was incorrect to start with. Then only was I removed from the DB and life continued as normal

You can see what happens if you end up on this list here.

How one man's life was ruined after asking uncomfortable questions of FNB

Durban-based Nav Chan started questioning FNB's eBucks rewards calculations. Weeks later his accounts were cancelled and he found himself listed on a secretive banking database operated by SA Fraud Prevention Services. Suddenly, his business started to take a dive.

www.acts.co.za

That's crazy. It gets even crazier:

SAFPS: Who holds the purse strings?

The only consumer watchdog for errant credit providers in South Africa is increasingly finding itself running out of breath, as banks collude to become a law…

www.uspiked.com

Wonder if things have improved since.

 

[Snyper564]

That's crazy. It gets even crazier:

SAFPS: Who holds the purse strings?

The only consumer watchdog for errant credit providers in South Africa is increasingly finding itself running out of breath, as banks collude to become a law…

www.uspiked.com

Wonder if things have improved since.

Yup, almost kekked myself when they said it was flagged couldnt share more etc.

All I can say is they are EFFICIENT it was resolved within 48 hours but still this was also height of covid they dont mess around.

 

[SubtleBeast]

Received a call from SAFPS in November.
lady explained that there seemed to be a fraudulent transaction using my ID.
I said bock the transaction and she then asked if I would like to keep my ID listed. I said yes.
Since then, i had to upgrade cell number and bought a car through finance. Both transactions were blocked by SAFPS due to the listing.
I then had to jump through a few hoops to understand the process.
Because I was a victim of ID theft, I had to get a letter from SAFPS and RCS indicating that the listng on my record is as a VICTIM.
Submitted this letter to the Cell provider and the Bank, then the applications went through.
Was told to only give the letters to the institute where im applying for "credit".

So essentially a credit bureau creating and playing by their own rules with no real oversight by the NCR.
Also they not really very good at their job if they cannot differentiate between victim or perpetrator.
Perhaps this is intentional?

 

[SubtleBeast]

Yup, almost kekked myself when they said it was flagged couldnt share more etc.

All I can say is they are EFFICIENT it was resolved within 48 hours but still this was also height of covid they dont mess around.

Efficiency would be for them to inform the affected individual before being listed.
So with them it's a case of you're guilty if we say you're guilty.
Boggles the mind.

 

[Snyper564]

Efficiency would be for them to inform the affected individual before being listed.
So with them it's a case of you're guilty if we say you're guilty.
Boggles the mind.

Yeah agreed when I called they had to run massive checks to make sure it was me then disclosed exactly what the issue was the was logged against me and how to rectify it.

But if I never applied for a new acc would never have known.

 

[SubtleBeast]

Yeah agreed when I called they had to run massive checks to make sure it was me then disclosed exactly what the issue was the was logged against me and how to rectify it.

But if I never applied for a new acc would never have known.

This is exactly what the retailer stated.
They had to make sure it was actually me they were dealing with hence the request for biometric data.
I've been dealing with them for years and it has never been a problem before, but new brooms...I guess.

 

[Bunta]

So essentially a credit bureau creating and playing by their own rules with no real oversight by the NCR.
Also they not really very good at their job if they cannot differentiate between victim or perpetrator.
Perhaps this is intentional?

Like I said, I had to jump through some hoops to get it resolved.
One of those hoops was verifying that I am indeed mr XXXX with ID number ........
Once that was done, they were a breeze to deal with.
Now, any application on my name / ID number gets flagged and I get informed immediately.
Id rather jump through those hoops than have fraudulent debt on my name.

 

[Bunta]

Efficiency would be for them to inform the affected individual before being listed.
So with them it's a case of you're guilty if we say you're guilty.
Boggles the mind.

Apparently they are informed by credit providers.
In my case RCS informed them of the fraudulent application.

 

[Bunta]

Yeah agreed when I called they had to run massive checks to make sure it was me then disclosed exactly what the issue was the was logged against me and how to rectify it.

But if I never applied for a new acc would never have known.

Strange, maybe the MO has changed, because they called me in nov last year to inform me of the fraudulent application.
Even asked if i want to keep the listing.

 

[Snyper564]

Strange, maybe the MO has changed, because they called me in nov last year to inform me of the fraudulent application.
Even asked if i want to keep the listing.

They have two sections one ID fraud one "bank flagged issues", but hopefully it has changed.

 

[SubtleBeast]

One of those hoops was verifying that I am indeed mr XXXX with ID number ........

How was this done if I may ask?

Now, any application on my name / ID number gets flagged and I get informed immediately.
Id rather jump through those hoops than have fraudulent debt on my name.

 

[Bunta]

How was this done if I may ask?

Whole bunch of Questions.
Also had to email a copy of my ID and Proof of Address. Then I had to fill in some form, see attached. I even questioned them why is someone else's details in the form sent to me? I could easily steal her ID LOL!
They insisted it's fictitious and only for example.
They then sent me the "Victim Letter" which i can use when applying for Credit.

Letter reads as follows:

xx January 2023
Reference numbers:
VICTIMxxxxxxxx
Mr xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx street
xxxxxxx
Cape Town
xxxxx
Dear Mr xxxxxxxx
FILING OF A VICTIM OF IMPERSONATION RECORD WITH SAFPS
The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is a non-profit organisation with the
main objective to provide fraud prevention services to its members. We also provide a free
service to the public to protect one’s identity if it was compromised.
According to information we received, your identity has been compromised. We have
therefore added your details to the SAFPS database, with the Victim reference listed above.
This reference should be retained as confirmation of the protective status you enjoy when
this letter is presented to SAFPS Members.
Please note that this Victim of Impersonation/Protective Registration filing will alert SAFPS
Members to the possible misuse of your identity by potential fraudsters and will require our
Members to take precautionary measures to ensure that you are protected, by confirming
that they are dealing with the genuine owner of the identity document. This may result in
your application for credit or other services being delayed, and you may be requested to
provide additional proof of identity or relevant supporting documentation. Please be aware
that this is done to protect both yourself and our Member organisation.
Kindly note that you will enjoy protection from the SAFPS until you instruct us that you no
longer need it by contacting us via fax to 011 8672315 or e-mail to [email protected] . After
this instruction, the protection will no longer be in place.
Yours sincerely,
SAFPS

 

[SubtleBeast]

The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is a non-profit organisation with the
main objective to provide fraud prevention services to its members. We also provide a free
service to the public to protect one’s identity if it was compromised.

Thanks for the info.

What worries me about them though is the clandestine way they started and operated.
Only changing (seemingly) once legally challenged.
This is not what one expects from an NPO.

They offer a free service to the public, yet individuals have limited access to their database as well as no input before being listed as fraudsters.
Also, the old adage of nothing in life is free rings even truer when applied to the financial sector.