In a move to protect consumers from increasingly sophisticated phone-based scams, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) has launched a new awareness initiative titled the ‘Just Say Goodbye’ campaign.

The campaign aims to educate South Africans on how to recognise and respond to such scams.

SAFPS spokesperson Andrew Simpson says these scams, known as vishing, involve fraudsters calling victims while pretending to be representatives from banks, financial institutions, cellular companies, insurers, law enforcement agencies, or government departments. The scammers often try to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information or transferring money.

“Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and will continue to evolve as long as scammers use modern technology. The public needs to understand the current fraud landscape, which is why we believe this campaign is an important initiative during International Fraud Awareness Week.”

The SAFPS advises the public to “Just Say Goodbye” when faced with suspicious calls: end the call immediately, avoid sharing personal information, conduct research, and verify any claims directly with the relevant service provider using official contact channels.

The campaign seeks to empower South Africans to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard themselves against fraud.

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