Gift card scams are on the rise in South Africa. From fake websites selling "discounted" vouchers to WhatsApp chain messages promising free airtime, criminals are getting more creative every year. The good news? These scams are easy to spot once you know what to look for.
At Evopoints, we've been selling legitimate digital gift cards since 2013 and have fulfilled over 300,000 orders for South African customers. We've seen every scam in the book — and we want to help you avoid them.
◈ Common Gift Card Scams in South Africa
1. Fake Websites Selling "Discounted" Gift Cards
These sites pop up on social media ads and Google results, offering gift cards at 30–50% below retail price. You pay via EFT or card, and either receive nothing at all or get a code that's already been redeemed. The website disappears within weeks.
How to spot it: No legitimate retailer can sell gift cards at a significant discount — they buy them at face value from the provider. If the price looks too good to be true, it is.
2. Social Media "Giveaways" and Competitions
You've seen them: "Like and share this post to win a R5,000 Takealot voucher!" These fake giveaway pages harvest your personal information — name, email, phone number, sometimes even ID numbers — and sell it to spam lists or use it for identity theft.
How to spot it: Check if the page is the brand's official verified page. Real giveaways come from verified accounts with blue ticks, not random pages with 200 followers created last week.
3. Phone Calls Demanding Gift Card Payment
This is one of the most common scams in South Africa. Someone phones claiming to be from SARS, Eskom, your bank, or even the police. They say you owe money or face arrest, and demand you buy gift cards (usually Google Play or iTunes) and read them the codes over the phone.
The golden rule: No legitimate company, government agency, or law enforcement body will ever ask you to pay a bill or fine with gift cards. Ever. If someone demands gift card payment, hang up immediately.
4. WhatsApp Chain Messages
"Forward this to 10 people and get a free R500 Shoprite voucher!" These messages are designed to spread as widely as possible, usually leading to phishing sites that steal your login credentials or install malware on your phone. Shoprite, Woolworths, and Checkers have all had to issue public warnings about these fake promotions.
◈ Red Flags to Watch For
- Prices significantly below face value. A R500 gift card for R250? It's a scam.
- No HTTPS (padlock icon) in the browser. Any site handling payments must use HTTPS. No padlock = don't enter your details.
- No company registration or physical address. South African law requires online retailers to display their company details. Check the footer and "About" page.
- Payment only via EFT or cryptocurrency. Legitimate retailers offer multiple payment methods including credit card (which offers chargeback protection).
- Brand-new website with no reviews. Search the company name plus "review" or "scam" before buying. Check Hellopeter and Trustpilot.
- Pressure to act immediately. "Offer expires in 5 minutes!" Legitimate retailers don't need to rush you.
◈ How to Stay Safe When Buying Gift Cards Online
- Buy from established South African retailers. Evopoints has been operating since 2013 with over 300,000 orders fulfilled. Look for a track record, not just a flashy website.
- Check for HTTPS and a valid SSL certificate. Look for the padlock icon in your browser's address bar.
- Never pay bills or fines with gift cards. SARS, Eskom, municipalities, banks, and the SAPS will never ask for gift card payment. Full stop.
- Verify before you forward. Before sharing a "free voucher" WhatsApp message, check the brand's official website or social media. If they're not promoting it there, it's fake.
- Report scams. If you encounter a scam, report it to the South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) and the South African Police Service.
◈ How Evopoints Keeps You Safe
We take security seriously. Here's what sets us apart from fly-by-night operators:
- Established since 2013 — over a decade of trading in South Africa.
- 300,000+ orders fulfilled — a proven track record you can verify on Hellopeter.
- HTTPS everywhere — your payment details are encrypted end-to-end.
- Multiple payment methods — credit card (with chargeback protection), instant EFT, and bank transfer.
- PIN codes encrypted at rest — your gift card codes are protected even in our database.
- Responsive support — real humans, based in South Africa, available via email and WhatsApp.
For a deeper look at our security practices, read our full guide: Is Evopoints Safe?
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I've already been scammed?
Act immediately. If you paid by credit card, contact your bank to request a chargeback. Report the scam to the SAFPS (safps.org.za) and file a case at your local SAPS station. If you shared gift card codes over the phone, contact the gift card provider (Google, Apple, etc.) directly — they may be able to freeze the balance if it hasn't been spent yet.
Can a gift card code be stolen after I buy it?
If you buy from a reputable retailer like Evopoints, the code is delivered securely to your email and encrypted in our systems. The main risk is if someone gains access to your email account. We recommend enabling two-factor authentication on your email and redeeming your gift card code promptly after receiving it.
Why would SARS or Eskom ask for gift cards? Is it ever legitimate?
They wouldn't, and it isn't. No legitimate South African government department, utility company, or financial institution will ever request payment via gift cards. This is always a scam — no exceptions. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it.