Beware of These Popular Traffic Fine Scams in South Africa

Traffic Fine Scams: How Criminals Trick South African Drivers

Getting a traffic fine is never fun, but for many South African drivers, the stress doesn’t stop there. Scammers are finding clever ways to trick motorists with fake fines, dodgy emails, and SMS messages that look authentic. The problem is that most people aren’t 100% sure how the traffic fine system actually works – and that confusion makes it easy for criminals to take advantage.

We break down the types of scams you should watch out for and explain how the real system operates so you know what’s legit and what’s not.

South Africa’s Traffic Fine System Explained

A traffic fine is a penalty that motorists face when they violate one or more traffic laws. Traffic fines play an important role in ensuring compliance with traffic laws.

Since the introduction of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, also known as the AARTO Act, was passed in 1998 and introduced a demerit points system for infringements. However, despite being enacted in 1998, it faced multiple delays.

• Pretoria and Johannesburg began piloting in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
• Planned national rollouts bounced between 2010, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and mid-2025, as several implementation dates moved due to legal and administrative hurdles.
• In fact, the Constitutional Court declared AARTO constitutional in July 2023, clearing the way for broader implementation.

AARTO Traffic Fine Expansion & 2025 Rollout 

• AARTO remained partially active in Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria) but was not yet fully functional nationwide. 
• Additional confusion surrounded the actual national rollout date, though in July 2025, the deputy transport minister announced that AARTO’s next phase would begin on 1 October 2025. 
• The new AARTO Traffic Fine System launch date was announced in April 2025, which you can read about here: The Truth About SA’s New Traffic Fine System Launch Date.

South Africa’s Traffic Fine Scams and Warnings

Not all scams happen to involve older individuals; they can happen to anyone and everyone. Here’s what you should keep in mind the next time you receive a traffic fine notice via SMS or email: 

Phishing Emails Claimed to Be from Natis or Pay City

One of the most widespread scams involved emails impersonating the National Traffic Information System (Natis) or payment platforms like Pay City. Fraudsters claim you owe a fine – often R210 inflated to R420 for “late payment” – and pressure you to pay via a link that leads to an unsafe site. The RMTC (Road Traffic Management System) has clearly stated that Natis never sends unsolicited payment requests via email, and any official communication will direct you to online.natis.gov.za. 

Fake Pay City Domains

Pay City, a legitimate online payments platform, has warned users about phishing scams where fine notifications come from domains other than paycity.co.za. Official messages always come from, and link to, that domain. If a link doesn’t point there, it’s likely fraudulent. “If the communication or payment link does not point to the pay city platform, it is not safe to use,” they warn.

Misleading Promises and Urgency

Scammers often include false promises, like interest refunds if payment is made within a very short window, or threats of significant increases in the fine amount to spur hasty decisions. 

Third-Party Platforms Mimicking Official Systems

Some platforms have been called out for sending unsolicited fine notices and charging fees through suspicious channels, with complaints that they mimic official notices but do not allow municipality payments directly – raising red flags. 

FAQs About Traffic Fines in South Africa

When is a Traffic Fine Not Valid? 

If the notice comes without identifying your vehicle or offence details, treat it as suspicious. Official systems like Natis always include vehicle and offence information. 

When Do Traffic Fines Expire?

Traffic fines in South Africa may expire depending on the issuing authority, the offence, and backlog processing, but these details are best confirmed via official sites: 

• Use the official Natis portal or your nearest traffic department to check outstanding fines. 
• Regularly monitor AARTO-related systems for updates on notices and expiry periods. 

How to Check for Traffic Fines and Avoid Scams

1. Always use official platforms: 
      - Visit online.natis.gov.za.
      - For municipal fines, contact your local traffic department. 
2. Ignore suspicious links or SMSs from unknown domains, especially ones offering “discounts” or “refunds”. 
3. If in doubt, forward suspicious communications to official addresses, such as Pay City’s provided email for verification. 
4. Check your fine status regularly rather than waiting for email notices. 

Whether you're pulled over on the side of the road at random or during a routine roadblock, it's important to know your rights. Here are some tips on How to Deal With the Police and Local Road Laws. 

The Bottom Line: Drive Responsibly 

While it’s a good thing to consider warnings and scams alerts to ensure complete protection, however, driving responsibly is one method that can help you stay away from scams and receiving fines. While fake traffic fine scams are increasingly common in SA, but armed with the right knowledge, drivers can stay safe. 

Car accident rates and fatalities remain a serious concern in South Africa, so it’s in everybody’s best interest that you drive responsibly – not only to protect yourself but to protect others on the road. There’s no rush. 

That said, it’s better to correct your worst driving habits than spend a fortune on fines, or worse, lose your life. Plus, if you ever witness or experience an accident, we’ve sourced expert tips on How to Deal With Road Accidents in South Africa – better to be safe than sorry.