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Hat-Trick of Honours: TransUnion Commitment to a People-First Culture in Africa Shines

Location: Business

TransUnion’s South Africa, Kenya and Global Capability Centre Africa (GCC Africa) have again been certified as Top Employers in Africa by the Top Employers Institute (TEI). This recognition reaffirms the global information and insights company’s commitment to a people-first culture, continuous growth and a high-performance workplace. It also marks the sixth consecutive year of recognition for South Africa and the fourth for Kenya and the GCC Africa — clear evidence of sustained investment in people, leadership and culture.

“Being recognised for the sixth year in South Africa is a strong endorsement of our consistent people practices,” said Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa. “We remain focused on building a culture grounded in trust, inclusion and leadership development because business success starts with empowered people.”

The TEI certification follows a rigorous HR Best Practices Survey across six domains and 20 topics, including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Wellbeing. TransUnion’s recognition reflects a people strategy deeply aligned with its business objectives and purpose. Employees play an active role in shaping strategies through structured engagement, continuous listening and feedback loops that build trust and alignment across the organisation.

Agile workforce planning helps anticipate future skills needs, ensuring employees are supported to build capabilities that allow them to thrive in a fast-changing environment. Flexibility and trust remain central to the work experience. Employees are empowered to manage how and where they work, guided by clear hybrid policies and supported by collaborative spaces that encourage connection and innovation.

Wellbeing is embedded in everyday work design. Initiatives include wellness days, protected time to disconnect and wellness weeks focused on holistic health. Regular assessments ensure these programmes remain relevant and responsive. Psychological safety is also a priority, in an environment where employees feel free to speak up, share ideas and collaborate openly, fueling innovation and belonging.

Leadership development is a cornerstone of TransUnion’s approach in which a clear strategy and competency framework guide growth, supported by measurable outcomes and feedback. Career development is actively promoted through internal mobility, mentoring and sponsored learning opportunities. In 2025, more than one in ten employees advanced through internal promotions, underscoring the company’s commitment to building long-term careers. Within the GCC Africa, investment in learnerships and early-career programmes continue to nurture future leaders and expand access to employment opportunities, strengthening talent sustainability.

“Our people are central to how we deliver impact at scale,” said Shobana Maikoo, Head of GCC Africa. “This recognition reflects our focus on growing skills, developing leaders and creating an environment where individuals feel supported and connected.”

Continued certification across South Africa, Kenya and GCC Africa highlights a consistent, integrated approach to people strategy and workplace culture across regions. In 2026, the Top Employers Institute certified more than 2,400 organisations in 125 countries, positively impacting over 13 million employees worldwide. TransUnion’s inclusion among this group underscores its commitment to excellence in people practices across Africa.

Read moreHat-Trick of Honours: TransUnion Commitment to a People-First Culture in Africa Shines

TransUnion Continues to Lead with Innovative People Practices in Africa

Location: Business

Global information and insights company TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) has once again been recognised as a Top Employer in Africa by the Top Employers Institute (TEI). This marks the fifth consecutive year that TransUnion South Africa has received this prestigious certification, with TransUnion Kenya and the TransUnion Global Capability Centre (GCC) Africa being honoured for the third consecutive year.

"Leading TransUnion Africa across eight countries has taught us that true transformation happens when we invest in people first. Our commitment to solving problems that matter has delivered tangible positive impact. This year we launched a groundbreaking middle manager development programme with Duke Corporate Education for high-performing associates, we advanced financial inclusion initiatives reaching millions across Africa and achieved 55% women representation across our employee base. Additionally, we've strengthened mental health support systems for our teams. The impact on our culture, innovation, relevance, and results is tightly correlated with our investment in making our business a great work environment for our employees and prospective recruits," said Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

“TransUnion GCC Africa, a fully virtual employer, has grown to almost 1,000 employees in just under four years. The TEI certification acknowledges our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our operations. We have built a highly skilled and motivated team by continuing to invest significantly in our people through initiatives such as sponsored education and learnerships. To date, we’ve spent R12+ million on sponsored education and external training, and had 278 learners go through our learnership programme — 55% were female, 68% have either been absorbed into full time employment or are currently finishing the programme. This creates career growth opportunities while supporting our mission to deliver premium experiences for TransUnion’s clients and consumers in 30+ countries," said Shobana Maikoo, Head of the GCC Africa.

Benchmarking Excellence in HR Practices

The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organisations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey. This survey covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Wellbeing and more. TransUnion's consistent recognition by TEI reflects its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in HR practices.

The programme has certified and recognised only 2,400 Top Employers in 125 countries/regions across five continents.

Read moreTransUnion Continues to Lead with Innovative People Practices in Africa

More Than Two-Thirds of South Africans Said They Were Recently Targeted With Fraud

Location: Business
  • 68% of South Africans reported they were targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from August to December 2024 but did not become a victim
  • Phishing, smishing and third-party seller scams on legitimate retail websites were the most frequently cited methods consumers said fraudsters used to trick them
  • In 2024, gaming (online betting, poker etc) had the highest suspected digital fraud attempt rate in South Africa

Sixty-eight percent of South Africans TransUnion surveyed from 21 November to 9 December 2024 indicated that they had been targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the last three months, with 13% saying that they had become victims. Among those who said they were targeted, the most common reported schemes were phishing, where fraudulent emails, websites, social posts or QR codes are meant to steal personal data (33%), smishing where fraudulent text messages try to trick the user into sharing data (31%), and third-party scams on legitimate online retail sites (28%).

In a separate question in that same survey, one third (33%) said that they had lost money to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the last year. Nearly one third (32%) of those who said they lost money reported it happening via third-party seller scams on legitimate online retail sites. This was followed by 26% who lost money via money mule scams where users are solicited to transfer or move illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else, and 23% who lost money via stolen credit card or fraudulent charges.

These and other findings came from research used for building the newly released TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report, which shows how South African consumers continue to be targeted by fraudsters through a wide range of channels.

“With South Africa having the second greatest number of smartphone connections in Sub-Saharan Africa, with people using mobile phones to conduct their everyday business, connect with friends, or keep in touch with family, it’s easy to understand why digital fraud would be such a common tactic among fraudsters targeting this region,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud solutions at TransUnion Africa. "While cybercriminals will attack at any time using any channel, they appear to focus on channels most popular in the regions they are targeting.”

Nearly one third (31%) South African respondents indicated that they were not aware of being targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud at all, which raises questions as to whether these respondents were in fact targeted, yet simply unaware of the threat.

Based on the TransUnion study, South Africa had the greatest percentage of respondents among countries surveyed in Africa who said they fell victim to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the second half of 2024. In contrast, Zambia had the lowest percentage of consumers who said they fell victim to fraud in the countries surveyed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Table 1: Fraud Types Most Frequently Used to Target Consumers in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Last Three Months

Country Targeted and fell victim Targeted but didn’t fall victim Not targeted Most reported fraud scheme
South Africa 13% 55% 31% Phishing
Kenya 11% 71% 19% Smishing
Namibia 11% 52% 37% Vishing
Rwanda 10% 57% 33% Money mule
Zambia 9% 70% 21% Smishing

   Source: TransUnion Consumer Pulse Survey of 1,000 people in South Africans in December 2024

Communities and Video Gaming Among Top Industries Targeted by Suspected Digital Fraud

Globally, TransUnion determined that communities (online forums and dating sites) experienced the highest rate of suspected digital fraud[1] attempts in 2024. Nearly 12% of all attempted transactions within communities last year were suspected to be digital fraud. This was closely followed by video gaming (11%), with gaming (including online betting, poker, etc.) at 8% and retail (8%) rounding out the top four.

The logistics industry, which has seen growth in shipping fraud (often perpetrated by organised crime rings), saw the greatest suspected digital fraud volume growth globally in 2024, up more than 100% over 2023. That being said, the fraud rate remains at a relatively modest 3%. Gaming also saw a significant year-over-year (YoY) volume change, up 20%. Telecommunications (-79%), insurance (-29%) and video gaming (-23%) saw the greatest decreases in suspected digital fraud volume YoY.

“Digital fraud on community platforms is by no means a new phenomenon. In 2024, it appears that fraudsters targeted these areas with a renewed vigour,” said Reddy. “Cybercriminals take advantage of the trust inherent on community-based platforms, and target members with a wide range of scammer solicitations, the most reported type of digital fraud in communities.”

For attempted transactions where the consumer or fraudster was located in South Africa, gaming experienced the highest suspected digital fraud rate in 2024 at 6.3% with an 8.1% decrease in the volume of suspected digital fraud from 2023. The only South African industries in which suspected digital fraud increased YoY were insurance and communities.

“It is encouraging to see that attempts at digital fraud have decreased across all but two of the surveyed industries in South Africa,” Reddy says. “Organisations that draw on identity, device and behavioural insights to help them interact with legitimate consumers while mitigating fraud risk are more likely to protect themselves and their customers from the scourge of digital fraud.”

Table 2: Highest Digital Fraud Rates Across Leading Industries in South Africa

Industry

Suspected digital fraud attempt rate 2024

Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from 2023 to 2024
Gaming

6.3%

-8.1%
Telecommunications

6.2%

-58.5%
Financial services

6.1%

-29.6%
Video gaming

6.0%

-67.2%
Insurance

5.6%

166.5%
Communities

5.0%

4.0%
Retail

2.9%

-8.9%
Travel & leisure

0.5%

-87.0%

Source: TransUnion TruValidate™

Fraud Comes with a Heavy Cost to Consumers

Consumers faced significant losses due to fraud. Among consumers TransUnion surveyed in 18 countries and regions in November and December 2024, 29% said they lost money due to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the last year. The survey determined that the median amount those consumers said they lost due to fraud in the past year was R32,447. For those who said they lost money due to fraud in South Africa, the median stated amount lost was R12,518[2].

TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud based on intelligence from TransUnion TruValidate.

Specific country and regional data in the report includes South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.
 

[1] The rate or percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts reflects those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation — compared to all transactions assessed. The country and regional analyses examined transactions in which the consumer or suspected fraudster was located in a select country or region when conducting a transaction. Global statistics represents every country worldwide and not just the select countries and regions.

[2] Based on the exchange rate on 6 Jan. 2025

Read moreMore Than Two-Thirds of South Africans Said They Were Recently Targeted With Fraud

Suspected Digital Fraud Most Frequent at Account Login in South Africa, TransUnion Reports

Location: Business
  • Money or gift card scams were the most prevalent fraud type from February to May 2025, reported by one-third (33%) of South Africans who said they were targeted with fraud
  • Transactions with video gaming companies, where the consumer was in South Africa, were most suspected of digital fraud in the first half of 2025 among industries analysed
  • Insurance sector experienced the largest increase in the volume of suspected digital fraud among industries analysed, over the study period

According to the newly released TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU) H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report, the rate of suspected digital fraud[1] was the highest in the consumer lifecycle at account login for South Africa with 2.6% of those types of transaction attempts when the consumer was in the country being suspected of digital fraud in the first half (H1) of 2025. This aligns with a global trend of fraud shifting to account takeover attempts which typically occur at login. Globally, 4.3% of account login transactions in H1 2025 were suspected of digital fraud.

The report, which draws on proprietary data from TransUnion’s global intelligence network from billions of transactions from over 40,000 websites and apps and a consumer survey across 18 countries, reveals that fraud is growing.

“South Africa stands at a critical juncture in its digital evolution where opportunity and vulnerability intersect. As the nation embraces rapid digital transformation, the surge in online activity has inadvertently opened new doors for fraudsters, whose tactics are growing more sophisticated by the day. This convergence of accelerated digital adoption, economic strain and criminal innovation has created a complex risk landscape,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud product management TransUnion Africa.

According to analysis of TransUnion’s customers in its global intelligence network, digital account takeover volume worldwide grew 21% year-over-year (YoY) from H1 2024 to H1 2025, signalling a rapid escalation. The volume of digital account takeovers surged 141% from H1 2021 to H1 2025, underscoring persistent rise of this fraud type over time and reflecting the increasing sophistication of fraudsters who exploit stolen credentials and bypass authentication systems.

"As account takeover fraud surges, businesses can no longer afford solely reactive defences,” said Reddy. “The growing sophistication of fraudsters demands a proactive investment in layered security and identity intelligence. In today’s threat landscape, protecting customer accounts is not just a priority, it’s a business imperative."

Highest Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud in Video Gaming

Among industries analysed globally, the video gaming sector recorded the highest percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts in the first half of 2025, reaching 13.5%. This represents a significant 28% rate increase compared to the same period in 2024, underscoring the growing vulnerability of this sector to fraudulent activity.

For transactions where the consumer was in South Africa, the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts from February to May 2025 was the highest in video gaming at 7.7%. The greatest increase in the volume of digital transactions suspected to be fraudulent over that time was in the insurance industry, with a 154% uptick.

Chart 2: Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts in South Africa, by Sector

Industry

Suspected digital fraud attempt rate H1 2025

Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from H1 2024 to H1 2025
Video gaming

7.7%

-1%
Insurance

6.7%

+154%
Communities (web properties like online forums and dating sites)

3.2%

-45%
Financial services

3.0%

-49%
Logistics

2.1%

-99%
Retail

1.1%

-57%
Telecommunications

0.7%

-96%

Source: TransUnion global intelligence network

“As the risk from consumer scams threatens identity integrity, organisations should rely on a mixture of data, risk signals, technology and tools to prevent fraud,” said Reddy. “The Report highlights that business leaders rank[2] identity verification, device reputation and behavioural biometrics as the leading three fraud prevention technologies.

“Businesses and financial institutions should also invest in sustained education and awareness campaigns to mitigate against schemes like account takeovers. Preventing fraud must by necessity be a multi-pronged strategy, if businesses and consumers are to stay ahead of fraudsters whose strategies continue to evolve too,” she said. “By harnessing advanced technologies, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and prioritising consumer trust, South Africa can chart a path toward a secure and inclusive digital future.”

Consumer-Reported Exposure to Fraud Grows Amid Gaps in Awareness and Prevention

Globally, consumers continue to face a wide range of scams, with tactics often tailored to regional behaviours and vulnerabilities. TransUnion’s survey found that 48% of consumers surveyed globally reported being targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from February to May 2025, with 59% of South Africans saying the same thing. Globally, 52% were unaware that they were targeted, as were 42% of South Africans, indicating potential fraud under-recognition and a gap in fraud awareness.

Consumers in five of the six African countries surveyed reported money or gift card scams as the most experienced fraud type. In South Africa money or gift card scams was the most common fraud type – reported by 33% of those who said they were targeted with email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from February to May 2025. Among those South Africans who said they were targeted, the next most frequently reported scams were phishing (31%), smishing (30%), and vishing (29%), with these three designed to deceive individuals into giving up their valuable personal or financial information.

South Africa Saw the Greatest Percentage of Respondents in Africa Indicating They Fell Victim to Fraud from February to May 2025

Country Targeted and fell victim Targeted but didn’t fall victim Not targeted Most reported fraud scheme
South Africa 13% 46% 42% Money/gift card
Kenya 10% 71% 19% Vishing
Zambia 9% 76% 15% Money/gift card
Rwanda 9% 49% 42% Money/gift card
Namibia 8% 57% 35% Money/gift card
Botswana 6% 68% 26% Money/gift card

Source: TransUnion consumer survey

“As scammers continue to evolve their tactics to enrich themselves, it’s more important than ever for consumers to regularly review their credit reports to ensure all listed information is accurate,” said Reddy.”

TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud and data breaches based on intelligence from its array of TransUnion fraud prevention solutions. To learn more about how TransUnion fraud prevention solutions can help businesses avoid fraud and prevent fraud losses, click here.

Specific country and regional data in the report includes South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.

[1] Suspected digital fraud attempts reflect those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation.

[2] As found by TransUnion’s online business survey conducted from 29 May to 6 June 2025 in partnership with third-party research provider, Dynata. Findings were included in TransUnion’s H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report

Read moreSuspected Digital Fraud Most Frequent at Account Login in South Africa, TransUnion Reports