SA motorists warned against new traffic fine scam

It feels like every time South Africans blink, another scam pops up.

READ: SA motorists warned against new 'Ghost Fines' scam

In 2025, scams seemed to make headlines every week, with organisations across industries issuing public warnings.

Only two months in, and it seems that 2026 might be no different.

READ: Cape Town motorists warned against scam traffic emails

January is a popular month for college and university scams.

Other New Year's scams included a convincing SIM swap lie and a popular SA retailer having to alert consumers on social media about fraudulent posts claiming to sell "product boxes” at unbelievably low prices.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there; these criminals have become increasingly convincing.

READ: Beware of this convincing sim swap scam

Last year, there were multiple traffic fine scams, with the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) first noticing a significant rise in after-hours scam emails targeting traffic fines.

As the rollout of the new Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) demerit system crept closer, traffic fine platform Fines SA issued a warning to SA motorists, saying they must be vigilant as a wave of traffic fine scams is exploiting the confusion surrounding the new system.

READ: Cybersecurity expert issues warning for South Africans using WhatsApp

Fines SA had warned road users that scammers are sending fake SMSes and WhatsApp messages, and even creating cloned websites to trick drivers into paying non-existent fines, also known as 'ghost fines'.

Less than five months after the above-mentioned incident, the RTIA has now issued another warning to motorists.

READ: Popular SA retailer alerts shoppers to online scam

Similar to the 'ghost fines' scam, fraudsters are using fake websites that mimic the Aarto website to scam motorists.

The RTIA has also taken to social media to warn motorists about fake websites and fake fines.

READ: Speeding fines and demerit points: What you need to know about AARTO

The agency also emphasised important information, how to spot a fake and what not to do:

• The only official website is aarto.gov.za.
• Verify any URL before proceeding.
• Motorists should not make payments or provide personal details on any site claiming to be Aarto.
• Report suspicious sites immediately.
• After-hours electronic RTIA notifications are illegal.
• Electronic service of Aarto documents is still awaiting legal approval.
• Aarto infringements are only served through personal means or registered mail.

READ: Joburg EMS warns against recruitment scam

The AARTO laws aim to remove habitual traffic offenders from roads and national highways, making it safer for everyone. 

Scammers have continuously taken advantage of the confusion and misinformation that has spread about the AARTO system to swindle people.

READ: How to avoid falling for a college scam

Why has the Aarto rollout been postponed?

The demerit system, which was scheduled to kick off on the 1st of December, will now take effect on the 1st of July 2026.

The Department of Transport’s spokesperson, Collen Msibi, says the delay follows an assessment of readiness in some municipalities that were set to be part of the first rollout phase.

“Some of the issues identified during the assessment in the main include the finalisation of training of both law enforcement and back-office personnel, the harmonisation of the current law enforcement system used by various municipalities, and [the] funding thereof.”

To find out more about or fully understand the new AARTO licence demerit system, listen here.

READ: SA news site shares warning after targeted by AI crowdfunding scam

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