Following another addition of businesses to its blacklist, South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) has recently issued a warning about the increased risk of being scammed by so-called ghost companies, which are now 110 businesses added to the list.
South Africa ghost companies 2026, According to the NCC, consumers face the risk of being scammed when using products or services offered by such untraceable businesses.
As mentioned by the NCC, the majority of ghost businesses reportedly receive payments and never deliver the ordered products or services before shutting down websites, changing locations or contact details, and becoming unreachable.
Definition of ‘Ghost Company’
Untraceable business or supplier, according to NCC, is a company that:
- Accepts customer orders and payments
- Fails to provide products/services to the customers
- Shuts down websites/social media accounts
- Changes locations and contact details suddenly
- Turns out to be unreachable once a payment is made
Full List of the 20 New Companies that Have Been Flagged by the NCC
The most recent list issued by the National Consumer Commission is composed of companies involved in diverse industries such as cars dealerships and furniture production.
Car and Vehicle Dealers
- JD SteelWorkx
- CE Auto
- Master Fitment Centre
- HMS Motors
- Fox Auto Dealer
- Micheal Auto
- Auto Focus
- Mulson Used Cars
Interior and Furniture Manufacturers
- Jay Maart
- Kraftedline
- Custom Create Furniture
- Jena & Sons Group
Other Businesses
- Sun Heat Cool
- Chase Tracking
- Black & White Project
- Ascension Shop
- Puff Puff Pass
- Fariya
- DHK Moving
- Bernice Warwick & Co.
Reasons Why These Companies Have Been Blocked
According to the National Consumer Commission, these businesses were flagged due to consumer complaints involving:
- Paying for goods that never showed up
- Being supplied with faulty goods without an option for replacement
- Having been unable to reach out to the supplier
- Discovering that their website or social media account was deleted
- Identifying false locations and uncontactable numbers on the site
Furthermore, the NCC reported that some companies were reportedly impersonating other reputable organizations.
Rights Of Consumers In South African Law
The rights that consumers have under South African law, according to the CPA, include:
- Receiving refunds on faulty products
- Accurate information from the supplier
- Marketing standards
- Transparency in pricing
- Product repairs or replacements
- Filing complaints
Nonetheless, according to the NCC, the above rights are difficult to implement once the suppliers have become untraceable.
It is recommended that consumers ensure due diligence regarding businesses when making transactions online.
Protecting Themselves From Fraud
The NCC recommends that consumers should:
Confirm Details Regarding Businesses
Ensure that the business has:
- A real physical address
- Company registration
- Customer support number
- Verifiable online reviews
- Avoid Paying In Full Before Delivery
Try as much as possible to avoid paying the full amount before delivery.
Exercise Caution When Dealing with Businesses That Operate Only Online
In case the business operates solely online through social media, then extra caution needs to be taken, especially if there is no verifiable company information.
Alert Unreliable Business Organizations
Unreliable business organizations may be reported to the NCC using the complaint portal.
Conclusion
The latest alert issued by the NCC reflects growing worry about fraud and unidentified suppliers who prey upon consumers in South Africa.
With more than 110 suppliers listed, consumers are encouraged to authenticate any business organization before making payments.
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