New Booking Scam, R30,000 Stolen in Fraud; 'Who Calls' App and Spam Blocking Button Combat Rising Spam Calls

A new scam targeting users of the Booking platform has been identified, where fraudsters use the platform's internal messaging system to contact travelers with confirmed reservations. In addition, there is a rise in spam phone calls and virtual scams that aim to drain bank accounts. Victims have reported incidents where fraudsters impersonate bank agents, sometimes even intercepting calls to official bank hotlines to steal money, with one case involving a loss of R30,000. To combat these issues, mobile devices have built-in features such as a spam call blocking button, which users can activate to reduce unwanted calls. Furthermore, a new application named 'Who Calls' has been launched to help eliminate spam calls effectively. Authorities and experts advise users to be cautious of unsolicited messages and calls, especially those that request sensitive financial information.