Fake proof of payment: how to know you've really been paid

Why a proof of payment is not payment

A proof of payment, or POP, is a document the payer makes. It shows what their banking app said at one moment. It doesn't show that the money reached you, and it can be changed, reused or sent before the payment is cancelled.

Most POPs are real. But a fake one costs you twice: the money you didn't get, and the goods or work you handed over. That's why the rule is simple: you've been paid when the money is in your account, not when you see a screenshot.

Signs a proof of payment might be fake

None of these prove a POP is fake on their own. Each one is a reason to check your bank before you hand anything over.

• The amount, date or reference doesn't match your invoice. A real payment for your invoice has your amount and the reference you gave.
• It says "scheduled", "pending" or shows a future date. A scheduled payment can be cancelled before it runs.
• The account number or account holder isn't yours. Check every digit. A payment to the wrong account never reaches you.
• The fonts, spacing or colours look off, or different from other POPs you've had from the same bank.
• You've seen it before. The same screenshot sent for a second invoice, or by a second customer.
• There's pressure to hurry. "I've paid, please send the goods now" is the most common line with a fake POP.
• It's a photo of a screen instead of the PDF or notification the bank sends, so it can't be checked.

How to check a payment is real

There is only one reliable way: look in your own account.

1. Open your banking app or online banking yourself. Don't rely on an SMS, email or notification someone forwards to you.
2. Find the payment in your transaction history. Look for their reference, their name and the amount.
3. Make sure it has cleared into your available balance, not just shown as pending.
4. If it isn't there yet, wait. A payment from another bank can take a day or two to reflect. A PayShap payment, or a payment from the same bank, usually shows almost at once.
5. Only then hand over the goods or mark the invoice paid.

What to do if you get a fake proof of payment

• Don't hand over goods or finish the work until the money is in your account.
• Stay polite. Tell the customer the payment hasn't reflected yet and ask them to check with their bank. Genuine mistakes happen.
• Keep everything: the POP, the messages and the dates.
• If you think it's fraud, report it to your bank and open a case at your local SAPS station.

How leke handles proof of payment

leke is built on the same rule: Paid means the money is in your bank.

1. Your customer uploads their proof of payment on the invoice page, or you add the screenshot they sent you with the amount on it.
2. Their reminders pause, and leke has a thank you ready for you to send, so nobody gets chased while the money is on its way.
3. The invoice only turns Paid when the payment shows on the bank statement you upload.
4. A wrong amount, the same screenshot used twice, or no money after three business days is flagged for you.

The thank you leke writes for you, word for word:

How leke matches your bank statement