You get a WhatsApp message from an unknown number offering you a job. The salary sounds decent, the company name sounds real, but something feels off. Your first instinct is to Google the phone number.
That instinct is a good one. Checking the number is a smart first step, and this guide shows you exactly how to do it.
But a phone number alone will not tell you the full story. Scammers burn through numbers constantly, so the one messaging you right now might not be flagged yet. You need to check the number and verify the job itself.
How to Check a Suspicious Phone Number
Start with the simplest method: type the full phone number into Google, including the country code. Scam numbers get reported on forums, Facebook groups, and complaint sites. If multiple people have flagged the same number for job scams, that tells you something real.
Next, run it through Truecaller. This app shows you the name linked to a phone number and whether other users have marked it as spam. It is widely used in South Africa, so there is a good chance the number is already in their database if it has been used for scams before.
You can also add the number to your contacts and check their WhatsApp profile. Scammer profiles tend to have generic stock photos, no "About" information, recently created accounts, or business accounts with vague company names like "HR Department" or "Recruitment SA."
Finally, search for the number on Facebook. Some scammers use the same number across platforms, and you might find posts from other people warning about it.
Patterns That Give Scammers Away
International Numbers for "Local" Jobs
You see a job posted for a warehouse in Johannesburg or a call centre in Cape Town, but the contact number starts with +91, +234, or +63. That is a massive red flag. A South African employer has no reason to contact you from an international number.
The most common international prefixes linked to job scams are +91 (India), which shows up heavily in task and like scams; +234 (Nigeria), used across many job scam types; +63 (Philippines) and +60 (Malaysia), both tied to task scam operations; and +855 (Cambodia), which has been linked to trafficking-related scam call centres.
If a "South African employer" contacts you from any of these prefixes, it is a scam.
Local Numbers Are Not Automatically Safe
Scammers also use South African numbers starting with 06, 07, or 08. They buy SIM cards registered with fraudulent or stolen identities. A local number does not make the caller legitimate. It just means they spent R5 on a SIM card.
Why You Cannot Rely on Phone Numbers Alone
Scammers can spoof numbers, making it look like they are calling from a legitimate business or government line. This means the number on your screen might belong to a real company that has nothing to do with the call. Never assume a call is safe just because the caller ID looks familiar.
Scammers also change numbers frequently. A "clean" number that nobody has reported yet does not mean the person behind it is trustworthy. They may have just activated it yesterday.
Checking the phone number is one piece of the puzzle. You also need to verify the company through CIPC, look for the vacancy on the company's official website, and run the job details through our CheckJobScam tool to catch red flags that a phone number search will not reveal.
Where Scam Numbers Get Reported
SAPS Cybercrime logs reported numbers in criminal case files. You can email them at cybercrime@saps.gov.za. The Truecaller community marks numbers as spam, and those flags become visible to every Truecaller user in South Africa.
HelloPeter is another source. People filing scam reports there often include the phone numbers used by scammers. South African Facebook job seeker groups also serve as an informal warning network where members share suspicious numbers.
You can also submit scam details through our report form so we can track the numbers and warn other job seekers.
How to Report a Scam Number
If you have received a scam message or call, reporting the number helps protect the next person. Here is how:
- On WhatsApp, open the chat, tap the contact name, scroll down and select "Report Contact," then "Report and Block."
- On Truecaller, mark the number as spam in the app. This flags it for all users.
- File a report with SAPS. Include the phone number in your case documentation. You can also email cybercrime@saps.gov.za with screenshots and details.
- Submit the number and scam details through our CheckJobScam report form.
Full step-by-step reporting guide
If You Already Responded to a Scam Number
Do not feel embarrassed. Scammers do this full-time, and their messages are designed to look convincing. What matters now is limiting the damage.
If you shared banking details, call your bank immediately and ask them to freeze or monitor your account. If you sent money, ask about a reversal. Report the number to SAPS with your case reference so there is an official record. If you shared your ID number, contact SABRIC to place a fraud alert. Then block the number on WhatsApp and your phone.
Related Guides
Got a suspicious job offer from an unknown number?
Paste the job details into our free checker for instant analysis.