🇿🇦 South Africa · Free Help · No Account

Got hacked or scammed
in South Africa?
Here's who to call.

Cybercrime in South Africa is massively under-reported — most victims don't know where to turn. This free guide covers exactly who to contact, what to say, and what your rights are under POPIA.

Always free No account needed Updated March 2026 Covers POPIA rights
⚠️ If money was just stolen from your bank account

Call your bank's fraud hotline right now — the number is on the back of your card. Banks can sometimes freeze or reverse transactions if contacted within minutes. Tell them: "Unauthorized transaction — please freeze my account immediately."

🚔 Who To Report Cybercrime To in South Africa

South Africa has multiple agencies handling different types of cybercrime. Report to all that apply — it takes 15 minutes and builds the strongest case.

🚔 SAPS — Police
10111
All cybercrime. Report at your nearest station or online. Always get a case number.
saps.gov.za ↗
🦅 Hawks (DPCI)
011 220 7111
Serious cybercrime, organised fraud, large financial losses. Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
thehawks.gov.za ↗
🏦 SABRIC
011 847 3122
South African Banking Risk Information Centre — banking fraud, card skimming, online banking theft.
sabric.co.za ↗
📋 Information Regulator
010 023 5207
Data breach complaints under POPIA. Companies are legally required to notify you of breaches.
inforegulator.org.za ↗
📱 SAPS Crime Stop (WhatsApp)
082 786 3873
Anonymous tip-off line via WhatsApp. For reporting without giving your identity.
saps.gov.za ↗
💻 Cybersecurity Hub
incidents@cybersecurityhub.gov.za
National Cybersecurity Hub — incidents affecting organisations and critical infrastructure.
cybersecurityhub.gov.za ↗

🚨 Step-by-Step: How to Report Cybercrime to SAPS

  1. 1
    Gather your evidence first — screenshots of the fraud, email headers, transaction records, chat logs, URLs, and any account details involved. The more you have, the stronger your case.
  2. 2
    Go to your nearest SAPS station and ask to open a cybercrime case. Say: "I want to report a cybercrime — online fraud / hacking / data breach." Request a case number before you leave.
  3. 3
    Alternatively, report online at saps.gov.za. You'll receive a reference number by email.
  4. 4
    If banking fraud is involved: call your bank's fraud line immediately (on the back of your card), then file a report with SABRIC at 011 847 3122.
  5. 5
    For data breaches involving your personal information: lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za — the company that lost your data may be in violation of POPIA.

⚖️ Your Rights Under POPIA

The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) gives South Africans strong rights when their data is breached. Most people don't know these exist.

POPIA — Your Data Rights

🏥 For Hospitals, NGOs and Schools

South Africa has thousands of NGOs, hospitals, and schools that handle sensitive data with no dedicated IT or security team. If your organisation has been attacked, Teradef provides free incident response guidance — calm, expert, plain language.

Free Cyber First Aid for Your Organisation

AI-powered emergency guidance for organisations under attack — ransomware, data breach, phishing. Free, 24/7, no account needed. Built for organisations with no security team.

Get Free Emergency Help

Protect Yourself Going Forward

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report cybercrime to SAPS?+
Report at your nearest SAPS station or online at saps.gov.za. Call 10111 for emergencies. Always get a case number — you'll need it for insurance claims, bank disputes, and any follow-up action. Bring screenshots, transaction records, and any other evidence you have.
What is the SAPS WhatsApp number?+
The SAPS Crime Stop anonymous tip-off line via WhatsApp is 082 786 3873. This is for anonymous tips. For emergencies call 10111. For cybercrime cases, visit your nearest station to open a formal case and receive a case number.
What are my rights under POPIA if my data was breached?+
Under POPIA, the organisation that lost your data must notify you as soon as reasonably possible. You have the right to know what was exposed, request correction or deletion of your data, and lodge a formal complaint with the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za if they fail to do so.
Where do I report online banking fraud in South Africa?+
Report immediately to: (1) Your bank's fraud hotline (on the back of your card), (2) SABRIC at 011 847 3122 or sabric.co.za, (3) SAPS at 10111 or your nearest station. Act fast — banks can sometimes reverse transactions if contacted within minutes of the fraud occurring.

What counts as cybercrime in South Africa?

The Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020 defines cybercrime broadly to include: unauthorised access to computer systems, cyber fraud and extortion, distribution of malicious software, online harassment and cyberbullying, sharing of intimate images without consent, and attacks on critical information infrastructure. If someone hacked your accounts, stole your banking credentials, locked your files with ransomware, or impersonated you online — these are all reportable cybercrimes under South African law.

How long does a cybercrime report take to process?

SAPS cybercrime investigations vary widely. Simple online fraud reports may be acknowledged within days, but complex cases — especially those involving cross-border cybercrime syndicates — can take months to years. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) handles the most serious cases. For banking fraud, your bank's fraud team often acts faster than police — report to both simultaneously.

The SAPS cybercrime unit can be reached at cybercrime@saps.gov.za. For urgent cases involving financial loss, also contact your bank immediately — most South African banks have 24/7 fraud lines and can freeze transactions faster than any legal process.

Common scams targeting South Africans in 2026

If you have experienced any of these — use Teradef's free Cyber First Aid tool above or report directly to the SAPS Cybercrime Unit and the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) at sabric.co.za.