Latest news with #SmileID2025FraudinAfricaReport
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- The Citizen
SA's shift to smart ID cards gains urgency amid high fraud risk
As South Africa adopts digital IDs to combat identity fraud, enhance security and reduce fraudulent activities, research has revealed that efforts to replace outdated green ID books with secure smart ID cards are gaining momentum. Zululand Observer reports that, according to the Smile ID 2025 Fraud in Africa Report, the green ID books — historically vulnerable due to weak security features — recorded Africa's highest fraud rate in 2023, at 34%. The report further states that in March 2024, fraud rates for green ID books were 500% higher than for smart ID cards, validating the shift to the more secure system. Moreover, fraud targets Africa's most common identity documents: driver's licences followed at 24%, driven by their frequent use across formal and informal contexts, increasing their exposure to misuse. However, passports — often perceived as more secure owing to stricter issuance protocols — showed a fraud rate of 20%. The 'others' category, including work permits and alien cards, accounted for 19%, while voter IDs had the lowest fraud rate, at 14%. These findings highlight the diverse vulnerabilities across ID types, with national IDs remaining the most at risk due to their ubiquity. While passports and other specialised documents like work permits have lower fraud rates, their misuse often involves high-stakes activities such as international travel or employment fraud, with significant financial and reputational risks. Monthly Fraud Trends by Region (Biometric and Document Fraud): Biometric and document fraud peaked in January for east and southern Africa, while December saw west and central Africa reach their highest fraud rates. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
South Africa's shift to digital IDs gains momentum amid high green ID book fraud
As South Africa adopts digital IDs to combat identity fraud, enhance security and reduce fraudulent activities, research has revealed that efforts to replace outdated green ID books with secure smart ID cards are gaining momentum. According to the Smile ID 2025 Fraud in Africa Report, the green ID books, historically vulnerable due to weak security features, recorded Africa's highest fraud rate in 2023, at 34%. ALSO READ: WATCH: Home Affairs brings services closer to the community The report further states that in March 2024, fraud rates for green ID books were 500% higher than for smart ID cards, validating the shift to the more secure system. Moreover, fraud targets Africa's most common identity documents: driver's licences followed at 24%, driven by their frequent use across formal and informal contexts, increasing their exposure to misuse. However, passports, often perceived as more secure owing to stricter issuance protocols, showed a fraud rate of 20%. The 'others' category, including work permits and alien cards, accounted for 19%, while voter IDs had the lowest fraud rate, at 14%. These findings highlight the diverse vulnerabilities across ID types, with national IDs remaining the most at risk due to their ubiquity. While passports and other specialised documents like work permits have lower fraud rates, their misuse often involves high-stakes activities such as international travel or employment fraud, with significant financial and reputational risks. Monthly Fraud Trends by Region (Biometric and Document Fraud): January marked a peak for east and southern Africa, while December saw west and central Africa reach their highest fraud rates. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
