Lookout for Scams this Festive Season
As the holidays approach, scammers start to get busier and
busier. Criminals take advantage during this time of the year because people
become less vigilant and more relaxed, plus yearend bonuses mean people have
more money to steal.
Here are five top tips to stay safe during the holiday
season...
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If you get an email or an SMS with a link to a
bank, financial service or even SARS – don’t click on it! These messages may
say that you need to confirm a payment, refund or banking details, but as soon
as you click the link and enter your details they will be stolen.
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Scammers may send you an email telling you that
you qualify for a loan, but first you need to pay the fee upfront. If you are
made an offer like this, never believe it!
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Be careful when giving out your personal
details, like your ID number, address and date of birth. Often criminals just
want these details so they can open a fraud store or loan account. They will
act as an airline, bank or retailer offering you something if you simply
confirm certain details.
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If it is too good to be true then it is probably
a scam. Some of the common scams include being informed you’ve won the lottery
or won a brand new car, and you need to provide you banking details to claim
the prize.
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At this time of the year people are looking for
gifts at great prices, so scammers may set up fraudulent websites to try con
people out of their money. When shopping online or applying for a loan, always
stick to known brands and rather type the brand or name into the browser than
following a link in an email.
If you do think someone has tried to scam you, report it,
even if you have no intention of responding. You need to be constantly vigilant
and if you’re not confident about an offer or if a request is genuine, always
check first.
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