Standard Bank warning
South Africa’s biggest bank by assets has issued a public warning about the increasing prevalence of fake job advertisements.
The bank warned that, as the social and economic pressures to find employment intensify, fraudsters exploit these vulnerabilities to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting job seekers.
“Standard Bank understands the immense pressure individuals face in securing employment,” it said.
“Unfortunately, fraudsters are intensifying their efforts, using this societal pressure point to deceive and defraud job seekers.”
The bank explained that these scammers post fake job advertisements, often promising high salaries with minimal effort. However, they intend to steal South Africans’ information or money.
Scammers frequently list hiring ads on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp, pretending to offer legitimate job opportunities.
These adverts often promise high salaries for little work and upfront payments or commissions, which should be a “red flag” for job seekers.
Standard Bank offered South Africans the following tips to protect them from falling victim to these scams –
- Cross-check the details of the hiring company: Always contact the hiring company through official channels to verify the legitimacy of the job offer.
- Legitimate hiring companies will never demand upfront payments: Be wary of any job offer requiring you to pay for training, equipment, or other fees upfront.
- Do not disclose sensitive information: Never share personal information such as identity numbers, bank details, or one-time passwords (OTPs) over the phone or online.
- Be cautious of work-from-home jobs promising high pay: Jobs that promise substantial earnings for minimal effort are often too good to be true.
“If you suspect that you have been targeted by a scam, please contact the Standard Bank fraud hotline or call centre immediately,” the bank urged.
This warning comes amid a rise in fraud and scams in South Africa. False offers of quick money and job opportunities are becoming increasingly popular, especially when paired with the name of a trusted local company like Standard Bank.
Other popular scams
In 2024, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service statistics revealed a 32% increase in fraud incidents and a 54% rise in impersonation fraud victims compared to 2023.
Satrix’s head of brand, René Basson, said the problem has been exacerbated as internet use grows.
“The digital landscape has become a hunting ground for sophisticated scammers. They’re not just after your personal information; they’re targeting your hard-earned investments,” Basson warned.
“Globally, we’re seeing increasingly clever tactics, from fake investment platforms to impersonation of financial advisers on social media.”
Earlier in 2025, Standard Bank issued another public warning about scammers who exploit people looking to make significant life changes at the beginning of the year.
The bank said that these scammers target individuals looking to change jobs, parents trying to find a school for their children, or matriculants going to university.
The bank also said that fraudsters are intensifying their tactics. It observed several methods used to deceive ATM users and other vulnerable individuals.
One common scam involves altering ATM language settings to confuse users, while another sees fraudsters activating the “cardless function” to disorient customers.
Another tactic, especially during busy periods, is to jam card slots or PIN pads to steal cards or money.
Scammers are targeting these groups of people with increasingly sophisticated schemes to gain access to private information.
“As you prepare for the exciting New Year, remember that your goals, ambitions, and resolutions present an opportunity for scammers,” the head of fraud risk management at Standard Bank, Athaly Khan, said.
“They capitalise on the uncertainty and pressure that often accompany new beginnings,” she explained.
Standard Bank also recently warned of a fraudulent WhatsApp group circulating on social media that claims to be affiliated with some of the bank’s services.
“We are committed to ensuring that your trading and investing experiences on our platform are both seamless and secure. However, we must also be vigilant against potential threats,” it said.
The company explained that a fraudulent WhatsApp group has recently been circulating on social media and claiming affiliation with an investment app called SBG SI Trader.
This app falsely professes connections with Standard Bank, SBG Securities, and other related platforms, including SBG Securities Online Share Trading.
It also mentions the bank’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority operating license and one of the bank’s employees, David Hodnett.
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