Vodacom has warned about scammers posing as Vodacom Rewards and attempting to phish sensitive information from the mobile operator’s customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the mobile operator runs promotions through its Vodapay app, it says it will never ask customers for payment to secure their prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Beware of scammers posing as Vodacom Rewards. We will never ask for payment to redeem or deliver a prize,” it said in an SMS sent to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Don’t share personal info or make payments. If you get such a request, it’s a scam.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vodacom added that customers can verify suspicious messages or calls by contacting 082135.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mobile operator runs lucrative competitions through the Vodapay app, giving away cars and paying out between R10,000 and R100,000 in Vodapay Wallet prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fraudsters are piggy-backing on this with a tailored advance fee scam hoping to snare victims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vodacom is taking a strong-handed approach to addressing scam calls on its network through collaboration with industry stakeholders, such as other mobile operators, financial institutions, and the South African Banking Risk Information Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In December 2024, a Vodacom spokesperson told MyBroadband that the mobile operator actively tries to raise awareness regarding scam calls by publishing information on its portal and social media pages to keep customers informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They added that Vodacom had implemented machine learning as a tool to identify and block known instances of SMS and voice phishing fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Any identifiable information that can assist in criminal investigations is shared with law enforcement and other relevant agencies,” they said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“All implicated mobile numbers are investigated for fraudulent activity, and appropriate action, such as locking them on the Vodacom network, is taken.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, South Africans have been increasingly targeted by scams and fraud attempts. <\/span>Nearly 5<\/span>%<\/a> of all attempted digital transactions originating in South Africa in the first half of 2024 were suspected to be fraudulent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is according to data from TransUnion, which also cited a survey in which six of every 10 respondents said they were recently targeted by fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respondents indicated that many attacks arose from the telecoms, financial, and online communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mobile operators that offer SIM swaps, in particular, are vulnerable to their customers being targeted by SIM swap fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n