Your ID stolen? Home Affairs won't compensate you. Here's what to do

If someone has used your ID number, report it to the police (SAPS). Home Affairs says it does not pay compensation to people whose identities were stolen, so the fix is on you to start.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said in a parliamentary reply that the department investigated 35 identity theft allegations in the past financial year, and that 17 officials faced disciplinary action in 2026 for unlawfully processing ID applications, MyBroadband reports.

What did Home Affairs say about stolen identities?

Schreiber said impostors found in identity theft cases were reported to SAPS for investigation and prosecution, while officials alleged to have helped were referred for disciplinary steps. He said anyone affected should report the matter to SAPS, and that the department does not offer compensation (MyBroadband).

When Home Affairs investigates a case, it works out what kind of profile is involved and then tells the person which documents they need to prove they are the real ID holder (MyBroadband).

What can officials face if found guilty?

Source: MyBroadband

What should you do if you think your ID was stolen?

• Open a case at your nearest police station and keep the case number.
• Apply for Protective Registration with the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), which flags your ID number to its member companies. Call 011 867 2234 or apply on the SAFPS website.
• Check your credit report at least once a year, as SAFPS advises, and look for accounts you didn't open.
• Go to a Home Affairs office with your documents if your ID profile itself has been tampered with.

Why is the green ID book a target?

The green barcoded ID book is paper with a glued-in photo, which makes it the easiest SA identity document to fake. The smart ID card has a microchip and laser-engraved details. Home Affairs plans to make the green book invalid from 31 March 2028, and about 14.7 million people still hold only the book (MyBroadband).