Green ID books major fraud risk for South Africans
Green ID bookholders are at a significantly higher risk of identity theft.
Do you still have your South African green ID book?
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says the green ID book is very vulnerable to fraud, and Schreiber is encouraging South Africans to get their smart ID cards.
READ: Cybersecurity professor warns over SARS tax impersonation scam
The new smart ID was introduced in 2013.
According to Smile ID's 2024 Identity Fraud Report, green ID bookholders are at a higher risk of identity theft than Smart ID holders. The green ID book is easy to clone and manipulate and lacks key security features.
If we want to make progress against fraud and identity theft, if we want to secure our country, we have to move away from the green ID. But here’s the important point: we are doing it in a responsible manner. We have to give people alternatives.
Minister Schreiber told MyBroadband that the Department of Home Affairs is working in a systematic way to expand access to the smart ID.
One of the challenges he highlighted is that twenty-five percent of Home Affairs offices in South Africa aren't able to issue the Smart ID.
They only issue the green ID book. How can you possibly say to people that you must stop using the green ID when Home Affairs itself is still producing that book? That is why we are working so hard to expand our footprint through technology reforms, but also through the partnership with bank branches.
READ: Will green ID books become invalid in December 2025?
The green ID books were launched in 1980, and in January 2025, it was rumoured that they would no longer be valid after December 2025, but Schreiber laid the rumours to rest, stating that the DHA hopes to stop producing green ID books by March 2026.
To manage that deadline without affecting South Africans, Home Affairs is aiming to expand its eHomeAffairs service to 100 bank branches by March 2026 and 1,000 by March 2029 through public-private partnerships.
This article has been updated after the Deputy Minister was misquoted in the original. Home Affairs will work flat-out this year to ensure that all South Africans are able to obtain Smart IDs as part of our vision to deliver 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘈𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴 @ 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, including by… https://t.co/bF2RDSWD9k
— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) January 8, 2025
With the rise in fraud in South Africa, it's important to remain vigilant at all times.
A report by INTERPOL noted a sharp rise in cybercrime in Africa, with South Africa experiencing a high proportion of cyber-related offences.
Online scams, particularly phishing, are a major concern, according to the report.
READ: Popular scams to be aware of
Watch the video on the sharp rise in cybercrime across Africa, as reported by INTERPOL:
Graeme Codrington shared a video with Breakfast with Martin Bester on popular scams to be aware of:
You can find out more about the Department of Home Affairs' (DHA) fraud prevention strategy here.
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