Analysts warn of possible e-tag fraud when tolls go live

A fraud alert has gone out to hauliers and logistics companies regarding the use of e-tags for the planned new tolling system. Analysts have raised concerns over the possibility of fraud when the tolling system, which does not require vehicles to stop but rather scans an e-tag that is linked to the driver’s bank account, goes live in February next year. Fees will be collected through a series of overhead toll points (gantries). “These gantries are fitted with toll collection equipment that will recognise the e-tag in a vehicle. Tolls will be deducted from a user’s registered e-toll account associated with the vehicle, and the user will be able to travel without any disruptions,” explained Sanral CEO Nazir Alli. Suad Jacobs of audit company Deloitte’s forensics team advised that companies that transported goods around Gauteng would need to monitor the use of their e-tags to ensure there was no misuse. Tommy Prins of Deloitte’s Risk Advisory said: “Companies need to ensure that their systems to monitor the usage of their e-tags are in place when the system is introduced, including their fraud prevention policies, forensic data analytics to establish patterns of usage etc.” He suggested that if Sanral had not already established a toll-free hotline to report fraud or abuse of the system, they did so prior to implementation. Jacobs added that Sanral would need to “forge close ties with the SAPS and the private sector to ensure that abuses of the system are rectified through investigation.”