Grant & Scam Awareness — How to Spot Fake Sites

⚠️Scammers target people looking for financial help — including grants, scholarships and emergency relief. Fake websites, fraudulent WhatsApp numbers, and impersonating social media posts try to collect personal details or payment. This page explains how to spot scams, what to never share, and how to report fraudulent activity.

Table of Contents

1. Red flags of a fake grant site or scam post
2. What you should NEVER do
3. How to verify a site or social post
4. Reporting a suspected scam
5. How we help users avoid scams
6. Practical steps to secure your accounts
7. Example report template
8. Who to contact for official verification
9. Disclaimer & how we publish scam alerts
10. Internal tools & resources (for editors)
Other useful help articles on this hub:

1. Red flags of a fake grant site or scam post

Requests for sensitive data: Any website or message asking for your full ID number, banking login, PIN, or OTP is suspicious.
Official-looking domain that is not official: Scammers register domains that resemble government portals. Always check the domain carefully (for example: sassa.gov.za is official; anything else is NOT).
Urgent “apply now” pressure: Scammers use urgency to bypass caution — legitimate government programs do not require immediate payment or secrecy.
Poor spelling or grammar: While not always the case, many scam messages contain obvious language errors.
Unverified social media accounts: Check for blue ticks, official links, and cross-check with the agency’s official website.

2. What you should NEVER do

Never share your OTP (one-time pin) with anyone.
Never enter your full bank login or internet banking credentials on unfamiliar sites.
Never send money to “reserve your grant” or “pay a processing fee” — legitimate grants do not ask for fees.
Never click links in suspicious WhatsApp messages — visit the official website directly instead.

Compare the domain with the official agency domain (for example: sassa.gov.za). Official government domains in South Africa commonly end in .gov.za.
Look for official contact details and cross-check the phone number on the agency’s main site.
Search for news reports about the site — trusted news outlets will report major scams.
When in doubt, contact the agency’s official call centre or visit a physical office.

4. Reporting a suspected scam

If you suspect fraud:

Report to your nearest SAPS station (South African Police Service).
Report the page/account to the social platform (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram) using the platform’s reporting tools.
Report scams to the relevant government agency — for example, official fraud/complaints contacts on the agency website.
Report phishing or suspicious emails to your email provider and mark them as spam/phishing.

5. How we help users avoid scams

On MyInfoHub.co.za we will:

Post monthly scam alerts and updates
Maintain a running list of known fake domains (publicly reported) — we will only list domains that are verified as fraudulent by official sources
Educate users on how to verify links and official contact numbers
Provide templates for reporting scams to SAPS and platform moderators

6. Practical steps to secure your accounts

Enable strong passwords and change them regularly
Use two-factor authentication where available (but never share OTPs)
Keep your phone SIM registered (RICA rules) and update your number with agencies if it changes
Install reputable mobile security software on smartphones
Check bank statements regularly and question unknown transactions immediately

7. Example report template

Use this short template when reporting a suspected fake site or scam to the police or platform moderators:

Report: Suspected phishing / scam site

My name: [Your name]
Contact: [phone/email]
Date discovered: [yyyy-mm-dd]
URL or social handle: [copy the exact URL or @handle]
Description: [Short description — what happened and what the site asked for]
Evidence: [Screenshots, messages, receipts]
Requested action: Please investigate and advise.

8. Who to contact for official verification

If you need to verify a government notice or portal, always use the official agency website and published contact numbers. Avoid clicking links that you receive in WhatsApp or social posts — instead, browse to the agency site directly.

9. Disclaimer & how we publish scam alerts

We publish scam alerts based on official reports and verified news. We will not publish unverified accusations that could unfairly harm a business or individual. If you believe a report is inaccurate, contact us at info@MyInfoHub.co.za.

10. Internal tools & resources (for editors)

Editors should maintain a verification checklist before posting any scam alert:

Confirm the report with at least one official source (agency, news outlet, or SAPS)
Redact personal data from screenshots before publishing
Include guidance on reporting and next steps for readers
Update the story when the agency provides a response