Fraudulent payslips are one of the most common forms of tenant fraud in South Africa. With easy access to templates and editing software, creating convincing fake documents has never been easier. Under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, producing or using fraudulent documents constitutes fraud, which carries a criminal penalty. However, the onus remains on landlords to identify and reject fraudulent applications before damage is done.
Red Flag 1: Inconsistent Formatting
Genuine payslips from established companies follow consistent formatting. If the font, layout, or logo placement looks off, it could be a sign of fabrication. Compare the payslip against examples from the same employer if possible. Many large South African employers use standardised payroll systems such as SAP, Pastel, or Sage — payslips from these systems have distinctive formatting that is difficult to replicate perfectly.
Red Flag 2: Numbers That Don't Add Up
Check the math. Do the gross pay, deductions, and net pay align? Are the tax calculations consistent with SARS brackets? For the 2025/2026 tax year, the employee's tax (PAYE) thresholds are publicly available on the SARS website. If the PAYE deduction on a payslip does not match the expected amount for the declared salary, the payslip may be fraudulent. Many fake payslips contain basic arithmetic errors that reveal their inauthenticity.
Red Flag 3: No Company Registration or PAYE Number
Every legitimate employer in South Africa has a PAYE reference number issued by SARS under the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011. If the payslip does not include one, or if the number does not match SARS records, the document is likely fraudulent. The PAYE number follows the format of seven digits followed by a slash and additional digits (e.g., 1234567/01/01). An invalid or absent PAYE number is an immediate red flag.
Red Flag 4: The Employer Cannot Be Verified
A quick online search should confirm the employer exists. Check the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) website to verify the company's registration. If the company has no online presence, no physical address, or no landline number, the payslip is almost certainly fake. The CIPC allows free searches at www.cipc.co.za to verify company registration numbers and status.
Red Flag 5: Unusual Banking Details or Payment Methods
Legitimate employers pay salaries via electronic funds transfer (EFT) into a bank account. If the payslip reflects cash payments, cheques, or unusual payment arrangements, this warrants further investigation. The Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FICA) requires employers to maintain proper records of salary payments, and unusual payment methods may indicate that no legitimate employment relationship exists.
Red Flag 6: UIF and SDL Contributions
In terms of the Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001 and the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998, all employers must contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Skills Development Levy (SDL). A genuine payslip should reflect these contributions. The absence of UIF contributions is a strong indicator that the payslip is fraudulent or that the employment is not legitimate.
The Safest Approach: Professional Verification
Don't try to be a detective. Let professionals handle the verification. Somor CredIntel's tenant screening includes direct employer confirmation through TPN Credit Bureau, ensuring that the income declared by the applicant is genuine and verifiable. Our reports also cross-reference SARS records, CIPC registrations, and UIF contributions to give you a complete picture of the applicant's financial standing.
Important: Under POPIA, you must obtain the applicant's written consent before conducting any verification. Somor CredIntel handles the consent process as part of our screening service, ensuring full legal compliance.
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