NCC untraceable suppliers Update List Grows to 113

NCC Untraceable Suppliers Update: Commission Adds 20 More to List of Vanishing Businesses as Consumer Concerns Mount

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a fresh warning to South African consumers following the addition of 20 new suppliers to its official list of untraceable businesses. The update, released this week, brings the total number of flagged suppliers to 113.

These latest additions operate primarily from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, with several functioning entirely online. Sectors affected include auto parts, furniture, renewable energy products, car dealerships, auto insurance, marketing and advertising, tobacco products, interior design, clothing, construction, and truck repair services.

According to the NCC, the pattern is consistent: suppliers accept orders and payments from consumers but fail to deliver goods or services. Many then disappear by shutting down websites, abandoning known addresses, or becoming unreachable. This modus operandi leaves affected consumers with little recourse under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

The NCC has urged consumers to exercise extra caution when transacting with any supplier.

“Consumers are warned to verify suppliers before making payments, be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, and report any suspicious activity,” the statement emphasises.

Suppliers are reminded of their obligation under the CPA to provide accurate physical addresses and contact details.

Growing List Highlights Systemic Concerns

This is not the first time the NCC has expanded its untraceable suppliers list. Earlier updates, including the addition of 38 suppliers in December 2025 that brought the total to 95 at the time, have shown a steady rise in reported cases. The latest increase underscores what consumer advocates describe as persistent weaknesses in supplier verification systems across both online and physical retail channels.