For immediate release 26 October 2026
A WhatsApp message claiming you have won a prize. A phone call from someone pretending to be your bank. An SMS asking you to pay a delivery fee for a parcel you never ordered. These everyday messages may seem harmless, but they could be carefully designed scams aimed at stealing your money or personal information.
Digital banking crime is costing South Africans billions of rands. According to figures attributed to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), reported losses reached approximately R2.4 billion in 2025, compared with R1.9 billion in 2024.
As the country marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, a Johannesburg-based technology company Spike Technologies is urging individuals, families and businesses to take simple steps to protect themselves against digital fraud.
"Cybercrime is no longer just a concern for big businesses or people who work in technology. Anyone with a cellphone, bank account or email address can become a target. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated, but simple actions like verifying a message before making a payment can prevent financial losses," says Valentine Hwenga, Managing Director of Spike Technologies.
Cybercriminals are targeting people, not just computers
While many people associate cybercrime with hackers breaking into sophisticated computer systems, criminals are increasingly exploiting something much simpler: human trust.
Fraudsters use fear, urgency and convincing messages to trick people into sharing banking details, revealing one-time PINs or authorising fraudulent payments.
A scammer might impersonate a bank employee, claim that your account has been compromised and pressure you to act immediately. Others may pretend to be employers, colleagues or service providers requesting urgent payments.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making these scams even harder to detect. Criminals can now create convincing fake messages and imitate people's voices, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine communication from fraud.
For ordinary South Africans, this means that even a familiar voice or a professional-looking message should not automatically be trusted.
Five simple ways to protect yourself from online scams
The good news is that protecting yourself against many common cyber threats does not have to be expensive or complicated.
Spike Technologies recommends five practical steps:
Think before you click. Avoid opening suspicious links sent through SMS, WhatsApp or email, particularly messages claiming you have won money or need to make an urgent payment.
Never share your banking PINs or passwords. Fraudsters may pretend to represent legitimate institutions to convince you to disclose sensitive information.
Verify unusual payment requests. If someone asks you to transfer money urgently, contact the person or organisation directly using a trusted telephone number.
Strengthen your digital security. Use strong, unique passwords, enable additional login verification and keep your devices and applications updated.
Talk to your family and employees about scams. Children, older relatives and employees should know how to recognise suspicious messages and report possible fraud.
Digital safety is everyone's responsibility
As more South Africans rely on digital banking, online shopping, mobile devices and internet-based services, cybersecurity awareness is becoming an essential life skill.
Parents need to educate their children about online safety, businesses must protect customer information, and individuals should understand how criminals exploit everyday digital interactions.
Spike Technologies believes cybersecurity education must move beyond IT departments and corporate boardrooms into homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
The company's message is simple: Think before you click, verify before you pay, and protect before you lose.
ENDS
Full media release supplied to Africa Rising TV, by Valentine Hwenga, Managing Director at Spike Technologies.