Business Identity-Theft Prevention & Protection
Impersonators target every business,
Secure yours now.
Don’t wait to become a statistic. Stop identity theft before it hits your bottom line.
did you know?
Identity Theft in South Africa is a Serious Problem
South African enterprises lose millions in chargebacks, brand damage and regulatory fines when criminals hijack customer identities. Business identity theft—often called ID theft or an identity scam—is now a daily threat that demands enterprise‑grade countermeasures. Pair that with the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) stats and the threat is impossible to ignore.
The Cost of Identity Theft in South Africa to Businesses
Lost revenue from account‑takeover refunds and write‑offs
Compliance penalties under POPIA & FICA
Reputational damage that stalls growth and acquisition
Higher onboarding friction and abandonment rates
4X
Fraud attempts during customer logins are four times higher than at sign‑up
-Smile ID 2025 Fraud in Africa report
Friction vs Security: Getting It Right
Not So Fun Fact: Fraud attempts during customer log‑ins are four times higher than at sign‑up (Smile ID 2025 Fraud in Africa report).
Onboarding can survive a few extra verification steps because customers are motivated to access a new service. Log‑ins are different: make authentication feel like paperwork and users abandon transactions—and revenue.
“Sign‑up journeys are intentionally thorough, but once customers are in, they expect speed. Continuous, low‑friction authentication is the only way to keep them safe and transacting.”— Varsha Gokool, Head of Product, Secure Citizen
Secure Citizen offers flexible authentication at pivotal stages: biometric verification for new users or one‑tap confirmation for ID Wallet holders. The result: fraud blocked, customer experience seamless.
How Secure Citizen Stops Business Identity Theft
Solutions for Every Need
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Secure Citizen SOLUTIONS
Verification
Solutions
Explore our suite of advanced verification services, from biometrics to advanced digital credential kyc solutions.
Secure Citizen SOLUTIONS
ID
Wallet
Secure Citizen SOLUTIONS
Verification API Suite
outsmart the fraudsters
Cyber‑Security Training South Africa
Equip employees and customers with the skills to recognise scams and protect data. Our Secure Citizen Certified – Mastering Digital Identity in South Africa course and companion e‑book deliver:
- Decoding digital identity – understand the data that represents you online and why it matters.
- Modern verification methods – from passwords to biometric authentication and their weaknesses.
- Identity‑theft, social‑engineering & phishing attacks – real South‑African examples and how to outsmart them.
- Step‑by‑step incident response – what to do if identity theft hits your business or a staff member.
- Hands‑on tools – learn to use the Secure Citizen app and the Yima scam‑report plugin.
- Perfect for organisations that prioritise digital‑identity security and want a local, bite‑sized training resource.
don't miss the red flags
Signs Your Business Is Under Identity‑Theft Attack
- Mismatched ID documents – Uploaded selfie doesn’t match the ID photo; metadata suggests Photoshop edits—classic synthetic‑ID signal.
- High chargeback ratio on new customers – Surge in disputed payments within 30 days of onboarding indicates fraudulent account creation.
- Failed liveness or biometric checks – Face‑match confidence drops below normal thresholds—possible deep‑fake or mask attack.
- SAFPS fraud‑alert spike – More hits against Fraud, Victim or PR listings during screening—threat landscape shifting toward your brand.
- Regulatory compliance warnings – Notices from regulators or customer complaints about unauthorised accounts—evidence fraud is already inside.
- Spotted any of these signs? Don’t wait for the damage to compound. Get in touch and block the next attack.
Don't ignore the red flags
Afraid you're a victim of identity theft? What to do.
Contact your financial institutions immediately.
Notify them of unauthorised transactions or accounts. Follow their procedures for handling identity theft. Consider closing compromised accounts.
Report to the South African Police Service
Provide all relevant details, documents, and evidence. Obtain a case number for reporting to credit bureaus and other necessary actions.
Download and use the free Secure Citizen ID Wallet
The app prevents unauthorised account openings or loans in your name and so much more. Available on iOS, Google Play, or sign up online.
Seek Guidance from the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS)
Contact SAFPS at their toll free number (011 867 2234) to report the incident. They will guide you through the steps to protect your identity and offer further actions.
Notify the Credit Bureaus
Contact credit bureaus like Experian, TransUnion, and XDS. Report the identity theft and request a fraud alert on your credit file. Pro Tip: Run a free credit report to check for unauthorised accounts. Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service for alerts on suspicious activity.
Document and Dispute Unauthorised Accounts and Transactions
Collect evidence and documentation related to the identity theft. Contact companies involved in unauthorised accounts or transactions. Provide them with your SAPS case number and supporting documents to dispute the fraud.
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Stay Informed with our Blog
Dive into our blog for valuable insights, actionable tips, and industry trends to stay ahead in the world of secure identity solutions.
NOW IS THE TIME
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Your Top Questions Answered
FAQs
- Contact your financial institutions immediately.
- Notify them of unauthorised transactions or accounts. Follow their procedures for handling identity theft. Consider closing compromised accounts.
- Report to the South African Police Service. Provide all relevant details, documents, and evidence. Obtain a case number for reporting to credit bureaus and other necessary actions.
- Download and use the free Secure Citizen ID Wallet. The app prevents unauthorised account openings or loans in your name and so much more. Available on iOS, Google Play, or sign up online.
- Seek Guidance from the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). Contact SAFPS at their toll free number (011 867 2234) to report the incident. They will guide you through the steps to protect your identity and offer further actions.
- Notify the Credit Bureaus. Contact credit bureaus like Experian, TransUnion, and XDS. Report the identity theft and request a fraud alert on your credit file. Pro Tip: Run a free credit report to check for unauthorised accounts. Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service for alerts on suspicious activity.
- Document and Dispute Unauthorised Accounts and Transactions. Collect evidence and documentation related to the identity theft. Contact companies involved in unauthorised accounts or transactions. Provide them with your SAPS case number and supporting documents to dispute the fraud.
Absolutely nothing! Secure Citizen is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees or subscriptions.
Your privacy is our top priority. We will never sell your information. You are in control of your data, and Secure Citizen is fully compliant with POPIA. This means we handle your data with the utmost care and respect, and ownership always remains with you.
Still have questions?
Forewarned is forearmed.
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