Identity fraud has become one of the fastest growing crimes and is by far the most common fraud type not only in South Africa but across the world. In its simplest form identity fraud involves stealing the personal (and private) information of another person in order to commit crimes such as fraud etc. in the victims’ name. 

The significant growth in this crime type is due to the fact that criminals have found identity fraud to be relatively easy, low-risk and very lucrative. Furthermore given the digital age that we are now living in and the variety of digital sources from which an individual’s personal information can be obtained, fraudsters have also started to exploit the digital landscape and with the use of technology (and tools) added sophistication to their fraudulent activities such as automated or bot attacks. The advent of online shopping and online application processes has added another dimension to the risk of identity fraud and has further compounded this issue. 

How Do They Do It 

Identity fraud starts with the theft of personal information and/or documents containing these. Nowadays however and more frequently encountered are instances whereby fraudsters trick individuals into disclosing personal information through a social engineering technique known as ‘phishing’. Phishing is a global phenomenon, and the scam often begins with an email or text message (SMS/Whatsapp) or sometimes a voice call which appears to be from a legitimate source and usually requires the victim to provide or update personal details including bank account details or passwords etc.  

In other instances fraudsters may even collude with various internal parties across different sectors and organisations to obtain the personal details of intended victims. Armed with the personal information of victims, the fraudster is then able to take over or open new accounts in the victim’s name, apply for loans and credit cards, purchase goods and/or services and so on.  

Identity Fraud Within The Telco/Telecoms Sector 

Unfortunately, because telephony is the largest and oldest communication network in the world, fraudsters have long developed tools and various fraud scams to exploit it and extract their ill-gotten gains from it. The mobile sector is moreover extremely attractive to fraudsters given the sheer number of customers or subscribers, devices and high-end equipment on offer that can easily be sold on the second-hand goods market and the fraud that can be perpetrated relevant to or on the network using fraudulently acquired lines or a connection to the network.  

As a result fraudsters frequently target mobile operators with fraudulent applications for their products and/or services using false or stolen credentials, in other words the personal details of an unsuspecting victim. While customer credentials are checked at various stages of the application process, the fact remains that verifying and authenticating of an individual’s information has become extremely challenging.  

It is furthermore worth noting that while extensive checks are performed to confirm personal details, the fraudsters are already in possession of the victim’s information and all personal details at the stage of applying and are therefore able to authenticate every aspect of the victim’s identity. 

Safeguarding yourself against identity fraud - some basic defences 

To minimise the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud, there are a number of precautions which you can take: 

•  Ensure that your personal information is kept confidential at all times and under no circumstances share or give out your personal information to any party unless it is a trusted source and they are authorised to receive it 

•  Always check the veracity of claims, advertisements or communications received especially where these appear to be suspicious or out of the norm 

• Exercise caution with emails and messages from sources that you do not know and do not click on any links or download attachments received from unknown or unexpected sources 

• Resist the urge to ‘overshare’ your private and personal information on social media platforms or online sites 

• When transacting online verify the authenticity of a website before entering personal information - check for ‘https’ or padlock icon in the address bar indicating a secure site 

•  Regularly check your statements and accounts and immediately follow-up or investigate unfamiliar or suspicious transactions  

•  Always safeguard and secure documents containing your confidential information, both in hardcopy and electronic formats and safely dispose of hardcopies containing your personal information by shredding or destroying these 

• If you suspect that you have become a victim of identity theft / fraud, contact your service provider immediately and report the fraud to the SA Police Service (SAPS) 

•  If you have been a victim of identity fraud or if you suspect your personal information has been compromised, register for Protective Registration with the SA Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) 

•  Obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the registered credit bureaus annually and review these for suspicious applications, accounts or activities recorded in your name!