Don't be the victim of a scam!
There’s been a surge in the number of scams targeting our DStv customers in recent weeks, please read more about the known ones here and stay safe.
MultiChoice has become aware of a number of scams on various platforms that targets our unsuspecting customers.
Scammers use various tactics to either defraud customers of their money or to get customers’ personal information. These scams come in a number of shapes and forms including:
Gift card scam
Customers receive an email informing them that they’ve won a cash gift card or huge sums of prize money in a MultiChoice competition, or that they’re being rewarded huge sums of money for being loyal DStv customers. The email then asks the customer to provide their personal details in order to claim the prize.
Final notice scam on SMS
Some DStv customers have received an SMS claiming to be from DStv demanding payment for a DStv Explora account. It threatens action if payment is not made today and includes banking details.
This SMS is not from DStv. Please do NOT make payment in to any bank account or through any link supplied.
Remember, you can check your account at anytime using one of our self service platforms including our website, our DStv app, or WhatsApp (0600603788).
DStv Premium upgrade scam
Scammers are approaching our customers offering them DStv Premium upgrades. They offer DStv Premium for a fixed once off fee per year where the customer pays the fee directly to the scammer.
Please be aware that you can upgrade your DStv account online at any time, do not believe anyone claiming to upgrade your account on your behalf. Always make your payments directly to MultiChoice through these payment methods.
DStv installation scam
Scammers posing as DStv accredited installers are offering customers unrealistic DStv services like free package upgrades or free DStv for life for a minimal once off fee.
DStv offers six subscription packages that you can choose from. If someone offers you a discounted DStv subscription at a once off payment, treat this with suspicion and check it with us.
To check if someone is a DStv accredited installer – ask them for their DStv ID card, which specifies their qualification as well as the accredited company they work for. You can also check on DStv.co.za under installers.
Decoder sales scam
Customers receive a phone call from individuals claiming to be MultiChoice representatives or service providers and offer new/discounted decoders to existing customers. They ask for personal information including bank details. When customers refuse to give them bank details or insist that they use the bank details already captured in the MultiChoice system, the scammers end the call. Customers should not give any personal information to these individuals, especially bank details. If you'd like to update your details, please do so using the MyDStv Self-Service Portal on the DStv website by downloading the MyDStv app.
Payment communication scams
Customers receive an SMS or Email from accounts claiming to be MultiChoice informing them that they're payments are overdue and requesting that payment be made to a particular bank account. Customers are encouraged to be extra vigilant in these instances. Click here to explore safe and convenient ways to pay your DStv account.
Social media posts recruiting for MultiChoice
Please be aware that there are dangerous scams disguised as recruitment ads for MultiChoice.
One of our suppliers who recruits on our behalf, Afrizan, does use Facebook and twitter to advertise roles. Every advert has a reference number which can be verified against opportunities posted to the Afrizan website.
Please note that neither MultiChoice nor its suppliers will ever offer to drive you to an interview. Please be vigilant.
If you're interested in working for MultiChoice, you can look for opportunities and submit our CV on our careers page on the MultiChoice website.
Hints and tips to help you identify a scam
There may well be some others out there that we are not currently aware of. While some scams are difficult to identify, there are usually tell-tale signs that can help you spot if something is a scam. Like receiving an email or SMS from us claiming that you’ve won a huge prize for a DStv competition you never entered and for which you must either pay a fee or verify yourself by sending your personal details – sounds too good to be true? It probably is.
MultiChoice will never request your personal details via email or SMS – please do not hand over your personal information to anyone claiming to be from DStv. Also, do not make payments directly to an individual claiming they are from MultiChoice or DStv – use one of our direct platforms to make your payments to your DStv account.
Always check the email address and emails containing spelling and grammatical errors. MultiChoice has its own domains for its emails (multichoice.co.za) so we would never send an email from a Hotmail, Gmail, Outlook, safrica.com or similar account.
We encourage all customers to remain vigilant at all times. Please do not click on any links in an email or SMS and do not provide your banking details to anyone.
If you receive something that you think is a scam or if you’re not sure whether something is legitimately from MultiChoice, please send an email to help@dstv.com or contact us on Twitter or Facebook.