Drivers in South Africa have been warned about a new scam targeting AARTO fines. Scammers are using fake websites, SMS messages, WhatsApp messages, and emails to steal money and personal data.
Previously, IOL reported that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) came into effect in 62 municipalities following the declaration by President Cyril Ramaphosa, marking the second phase of national implementation. The law is expected to be rolled out to another 151 municipalities later this year, although the points system will only be introduced in 2027.
The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA) has reported a sharp increase in sophisticated scams related to websites mimicking the official AARTO platform. The latest scheme allegedly deceives drivers by convincing them to pay R250 on the same day, promising a payment discount.
RTIA strongly recommends that drivers make payments exclusively through verified and approved payment platforms. It is also emphasized that when paying on official platforms, the 16-digit infringement notification number should be used as the reference, which does not require using an RTIA bank account.
Messages may contain threats of license or vehicle disc suspension if payment is not made. RTIA also warns against false discounts, as scammers offer a 50% discount or 'fine waiver' if the driver pays within 24 hours.
According to the authority, some messages are sent after business hours and on weekends to cause panic. This new scam encourages road users to pay R250 to qualify for a discount. Therefore, drivers are advised not to click on links and to immediately delete received emails. Instead, they should remain calm and contact RTIA immediately.
Be wary of headlines such as 'Final Notice: Action Required to Avoid Further Penalties' or 'Final Demand: Enforcement Notification,' as well as other notifications claiming that a driver's license or vehicle disc will be blocked. Messages also falsely indicate outstanding debt and offer a 50% discount or 'fine waiver' upon payment within one day. Many of these are sent outside of working hours and on weekends to create an atmosphere of anxiety. They target dates in the month when customers are likely to have money in their bank accounts, such as the 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, or 31st. Caution should be exercised regarding fraudulent websites posing as the official AARTO site. These fake resources can be used to deceive the public and steal personal or payment information. Such sites may also contain typos and incorrect names, such as being signed as 'NATS Online | Vehicle License Disc Renewal.'