fraud Archives - Page 2 of 2 - AfricaBusiness.com

20Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

Preventing escalating business fraud in SA starts with robust KYC

While legislation and the introduction of new regulations aim to combat fraud and corruption, South African businesses have the power to fight financial crimes by ensuring consistent Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures are in place. This is according to Sameer Kumandan, Managing Director of SearchWorks, South Africa’s largest innovative data aggregation platform. SearchWorks allows users to perform live, credible individual, company, and property searches via more than 160 different search types. “With the obvious exception of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), there is no universal set of KYC protocols for businesses to follow. Although demand is growing for more vigorous checks, the risk of businesses not carrying out KYC checks is substantial,” notes Kumandan. PwC’s bienn...

15Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech, South Africa News

South Africa. Banking customers are urged to remain extra vigilant during these trying times

South Africa is in the middle of one of the most tyring times in the country’s history. Unemployment was on the rise which will only worsen in the aftermath of the current situation. In addition, tensions are boiling over turning into violent acts and destruction which are currently disrupting society. This includes bank ATM’s and branches. “During these trying times, we are urging all banking clients to keep calm and to be aware that the violence will be causing some disruption to normal branch services. In addition to all the other challenges facing consumers, fraudsters will be more motivated than ever to take advantage of the current crises that is gripping the country. We need to be extra vigilant during these times,” urges Reana Steyn, the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS). Online...

19May

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Events, South Africa News, Tech

A challenging, risk driven environment awaits us

As many parts of the world deal with the Third Wave of Covid-19 infections, there are growing concerns that South Africa may face harsher lockdown measures in the future as the country ramps up its vaccine roll out program. This will have a telling impact on society and will only accelerate the reliance on ecommerce business models as the public prioritizes their health and safety. Unfortunately, this also means that there will be a challenging, risk driven environment ahead of us when it comes to fraud. This was highlighted at the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) & Insurance Crime Bureau International Fraud Summit which was held virtually on 19 May 2021. Increased Risk “We are really reaching a critical point when it comes to the economy and the extreme measures that...

4May

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

SA can prevent payments fraud crippling businesses and local municipalities

Ryan Mer, Managing Director, eftsure Africa, a Know Your Payee™ (KYP) platform provider says technology can be a powerful tool against the fraud and corruption plunging South Africa’s municipalities and businesses into financial crisis. According to a recent report in News 24, a former OR Tambo District Municipality project accountant who defrauded the municipality out of R9.8 million was recently sentenced to 15 years in jail. She was the authorised officer responsible for processing claims from service providers and effecting payments to their bank accounts. Money was transferred to companies belonging to her former boyfriend and sister even though no services were rendered by said businesses. Another News 24 report details how nine people who allegedly defrauded the City of Tshwane out ...

Financial Scams – How to avoid becoming a victim

15Jan

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News, Tech

Financial Scams – How to avoid becoming a victim

South Africa has significantly more financial crime than most other countries. With a rate of 77% compared to a global average of 49%, SA is something of a hotbed for fraud and scams. As consumers and insurance-seekers we need to understand the risks of economic crime and how to avoid becoming a victim, the risks of committing insurance fraud and how to avoid being inadvertent perpetrators of fraud ourselves, by for example, omitting information in an insurance application. Herman Lombard, Founder and Executive Director of financial services provider African Unity, explains that an intentionally fraudulent claim could result in cancellation of the policy as well as a negative reputation with the insurer and the industry in general. “Consumer fraud is the second highest ranking category of ...