CyberSense
CyberSense Ep. 16 – Spam Calls & How to Stop Them
Spam calls in South Africa are exploding. Scammers pretend to be your bank, SARS, or your cellphone provider.
📞 Full transcript: Spam Calls – Don't Engage, Just Hang Up
CYBER SENSE ALERT: Spam Calls – Don't Engage, Just Hang Up
Spam calls in South Africa are exploding. Scammers pretend to be your bank, SARS, or your cellphone provider. Their goal? To panic you into sharing OTPs, PINs, or money.
Your Spam Call Defense Plan
LET UNKNOWN NUMBERS GO TO VOICEMAIL
Legitimate callers will leave a message. Scammers rarely do. You don't have to answer every call.
NEVER TRUST CALLER ID
Scammers can spoof any number – even your bank's official helpline. Caller ID lies.
NEVER SHARE OTPs, PINs, OR PASSWORDS
No bank, SARS official, or provider will ever call and ask for these. Ever. Hang up immediately.
HANG UP AND CALL BACK
If someone claims to be from your bank, say "I'm calling you back on the number on my card." Then do it. A real employee will understand. A scammer will panic.
REGISTER ON THE DO NOT CALL LIST
Visit dnc.org.za to reduce legitimate telemarketing calls. Free and takes two minutes.
If You Get a Suspicious Call:
- 🚫 Don't engage. Don't press buttons. Don't say "yes." Just hang up.
- 📲 Report scam SMSes to 7726.
- 👨👩👧 Warn your family – especially parents and grandparents.
— Declan Hardie, Impact 103