Starting Strong & Staying Safe: Avoiding Student Scams in South Africa

The beginning of a new academic year is a time of anticipation and planning for students across South Africa, including those transitioning from homeschooling to tertiary studies. However, this period of urgency and excitement is also exploited by increasingly sophisticated scammers. Students looking for study placements, accommodation, or learning materials can be particularly vulnerable. Understanding common student scams in South Africa is the first step to staying safe.

Adrian Garden, Acting Dean of Academics at IIE Rosebank College, notes that students “may be unfamiliar with common scams or eager to secure deals quickly, amid tough competition for limited space and resources”. This makes awareness and caution essential.

Watch Out for Bogus Institutions

One major pitfall is the rise of bogus colleges. These unregistered institutions prey on the hopes of students who might not have secured a place at their first-choice university or college, or those seeking cheaper options. Signing up with such an entity wastes valuable time and money, resulting in qualifications that are not recognised. How can you verify educational institutions in SA?

• Accreditation: Legitimate institutions must be registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Their specific higher education qualifications must be accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Ask the institution for their DHET registration certificate, which details the campus, provider, and accredited qualifications.
• Qualification Registration: All qualifications must also be registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). You can ask for the SAQA NQF ID numbers for the qualifications offered. Verifying qualifications directly with SAQA is a crucial step.

Navigating Logistical Scams: Accommodation, Textbooks & More

Scammers don’t just create fake colleges; they operate across the entire student experience, targeting accommodation listings, transport services, and sales of items like second-hand textbooks or electronics. They often exploit common vulnerabilities:

• Eagerness: Students rushing to find accommodation or buy discounted textbooks might overlook red flags in fake listings. Improve your phishing awareness to spot suspicious links or requests.
• Trust: Students selling items online (like old laptops or textbooks) might be too quick to trust a fraudulent buyer offering a seemingly good deal.
• Urgency: Scammers create false urgency or use emotional appeals (e.g., needing an item quickly for a loved one) to pressure victims into making hasty decisions without proper checks.
• Fake Proof: Be wary of fake payment notifications (like SMS alerts) or dodgy shipping confirmations. Scammers might also use couriers not linked to reputable companies and demand extra fees.

“If there are any sudden changes to agreed terms, such as payment methods or delivery details, you may be on the receiving end of a common scam tactic,” warns Garden. Be particularly careful when trying to avoid accommodation scams – always try to view a property (even virtually with a trusted contact) before paying deposits.

Practical Tips for Staying Safe Online and Offline

While students are especially vulnerable due to the pressures of starting the academic year, adopting cautious habits significantly reduces risk:

• Verify Everything: Before paying for accommodation, textbooks, or services, do your homework. Verify the seller, the product, or the rental property. Check institution accreditation.
• Use Secure Platforms: Insist on using secure, reputable payment platforms for online transactions. Avoid direct bank transfers to unknown individuals if possible. Check website legitimacy using tools like the Yima website scanner from SAFPS.
• Meet Safely: If you need to exchange goods (like textbooks) or meet a potential landlord, always choose a well-lit, public place. Consider taking someone with you.
• Resist Pressure: Don’t let anyone rush you into a decision or payment. Scammers rely on urgency to make you bypass your usual checks. Trust your gut – if something feels off, it probably is.
• Seek Institutional Help: Reputable colleges and universities have student support centres that can offer guidance on finding legitimate accommodation, academic materials, or verifying offers.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a scam or suspicious behaviour, report it. Organisations like the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS)and the South African Police Service (SAPS)collect this information to help fight fraud.

How Safe Are You? 

Have you or someone you know encountered a student scam? Share your experience (without personal details!) in the comments to help raise awareness. Remember to share this post with other students and parents.

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