DISHONESTY SURVEY

About 38% of South Africans think it is acceptable to exaggerate the value of property lost or damaged when making an insurance claim; 40% think it acceptable to exaggerate their income when applying for a home loan; and 47% when applying for a cellphone contract. This is according to a recent study of 1000 South Africans by data analytics company Fico. Michelle Beetar, head of Fico in Africa, said: “Many people are experiencing a rise in the cost of living and might consider that they can ease their circumstances by falsifying information in applications for credit. However, financial institutions can spot anomalies suggesting that information is being exaggerated or misstated.”