Festive Season Awareness

While the festive season may be a time of joy and giving, it is also the time where criminal opportunists attempt to scam you out of your hard-earned money. Staying vigilant this festive season could help you retain some peace-of-mind, whilst saving you money.

Here are some tips to prevent criminals from leaving a negative mark on your holiday period:

CARRY CASH SAFELY

Victims are often followed out of a bank branch or at an ATM after a cash withdrawal has been made. Small business owner are also at risk, particularly when drawing cash to pay weekly wages.

TIPS:

• Carry as little cash as possible.
• Consider the convenience of paying your accounts electronically.
• Consider making use of cell phone banking or internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking – we have launched the incredible new AccessMore app to make your banking experience easier
• Alternate the days and times on which you deposit cash if you are a small business owner.
• Do not openly display the money you are depositing while you are standing in the bank queue.
• Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you.

SCAMS

Criminals set up bogus websites, offering specials on certain items, from pets to vehicles and holiday accommodations to take advantage of everyone’s carefree spirit during the holidays. Using these scams, criminals can obtain banking details, commit identity fraud and steal your money.

TIPS:

• Do not trust websites you do not know. Offers on these sites can often seem too good to be true – and they usually are. Do some research on the company or individual before you make a purchase.
• Register for 3D Secure to secure your card details.
• Do not send emails that quote your card number and expiry date.
• If you are requested to confirm your banking or personal details via a link, don’t click on it.

MOBILE PHONE SNATCHING FRAUD

If your mobile device is lost or stolen notify your Bank immediately to prevent the perpetrators from using your banking app. In addition, contact your mobile service provider to block/stop your SIM card and handset to prevent criminals from getting any One Time Pin.

Mobile phones that are being snatched from owners are affording criminals the opportunity to gain access to the victim’s personal and even confidential information which can then be used to commit crime.

TIPS:

• Never save your banking app or internet banking username and password on your device in the contacts
• Always be vigilant by being aware of who is around you when using your phone in public.
• Pickpocketing is prevalent so ensure that your handbag and/or backpacks are properly closed or zipped.
• If your mobile device is lost or stolen notify your bank immediately to freeze your banking profile and prevent the perpetrators from using your banking app.
• In addition, contact your mobile service provider to block/stop your SIM card and handset to prevent criminals from getting any One Time PINs for fraudulent transactions.
• If your Apple device is stolen, log onto to your iCloud account to restore all factory settings so that all your personal data is wiped from the device.
• Avoid using Public Wi-Fi “hotspots”. It is risky to connect your smartphone to just any available Wi-Fi hotspot. Savvy hackers can spoof a Wi-Fi connection and gain access to usernames and passwords stored on your smartphone.

IDENTITY THEFT

Your personal information can be used by criminals to assume your identity and acquire retail or bank accounts, or even defraud your insurance, medical aid, and Unemployment Insurance Fund.  In some instances, they impersonate you, and using social engineering, access your bank accounts and do transactions.

TIPS:

• Register for SMS notifications to alert you when products and accounts are accessed.
• Conduct regular credit checks to verify whether someone has applied for credit using your personal information and if so, advise the credit grantor immediately.
• Check your bank statements regularly.

CARD CRIME

Criminals used various methods in order to get your card and pin.  ATM shoulder surfing, card skimming, swopping of cards, and the trapping of cards inside ATMs to steal card data or actual cards and then used to withdraw money fraudulently at ATMs and to make purchases, or writing down your card number and CCV on the back of your card to use for fraudulent purchases.   

TIPS:

• Do not use a set routine, like time of the day or day of the week to visit your Bank or ATM to deposit or withdraw funds.
• Be alert to your surroundings. Do not use the ATM if there are loiterers or suspicious people in the vicinity. Be aware that fraudsters are often well dressed, well-spoken and respectable looking individuals.
• If you are disturbed while transacting at the ATM, your card may possibly be skimmed by being removed and placed back into the ATM without your knowledge. Cancel the transaction immediately and report the incident using your Bank’s Stop Card Toll free number.
• After successfully transacting at the ATM, leave immediately. Be cautious of strangers requesting you to return to the ATM to finalize any transaction as skimming may occur during this request.
• Never force your card into the slot if you experience initial difficulty, as it might have been tampered with.
• If your card is swallowed by the ATM, do not leave the ATM before you have cancelled your card.
• Key in your PIN yourself in such a way that no one else can see it, for example, cover your hand that is punching the numbers even when alone at the ATM, as some criminals may place secret cameras to observe your PIN.
• To keep both your card and PIN safe, don’t let anyone stand too close to you
• Set a daily withdrawal limit that suits your needs to protect yourself in an event that your card and PIN are compromised. (Every Bank will have its own default amount which you must check).
• Be cautious of strangers offering to help as they could be trying to distract you to get your card or PIN.
• Check your balance regularly and immediately report discrepancies to your Bank.
• Avoid withdrawing cash to pay for goods/services where you can pay with your debit card.
• Avoid handing over your card for payments, your card number, expiry date and CCV might be written down and used for fraudulent purchases afterwards, or your card might be cloned while you are not looking.

Be safe and have a happy Festive Season!