Don’t fall victim to a crime
BLACK FRIDAY: MAKE SURE IT IS JUST THE COST OF YOUR SHOPPING THAT LEAVES THE STORE
Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the time of the year that phishing grounds are the most lucrative for cybercriminals.
The internet is buzzing with Black Friday specials already and retailers are stocking shelves for the traditional hordes of bargain seekers. But it is also an opportunity for criminals to strike. “Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the time of the year that phishing grounds are the most lucrative for cybercriminals. Attacks increase by as much as 336%,” says Neil Thompson, head of product and customer value proposition at African Bank.
Here are 10 tips to stay safe:
Always get your card back after every purchase and always ask that the credit card machine is swiped in front of you. Never write down your pin or disclose it to anyone. Be aware of scam URLs – mobile users are often susceptible to this scam as they often do not check the full URL on their device. This is an easy way to trick people into thinking they are buying the real thing. Keep your transaction slips and check them against your statement to spot any suspicious transactions. Always keep an eye on the ATM card slot to ensure that your card is not taken out, skimmed and replaced without your knowledge. Should an ATM retain your card, contact your bank and block your card before you leave the ATM. Subscribe to your bank’s SMS notification services; this will inform you of any transactional activity on your account. If you are shopping online be cautious of phishing scams. Internet banking fraud now makes up 55% of all fraud occurring through banks. If an offer looks too good to be true it is probably fake. Rather than click on a link in an e-mail or SMS, go to the site itself. Do not assume you are speaking to your bank. Unsuspecting customers believe they are speaking to a credible source from their bank. Once a criminal has a mobile banking pin or password, a fraudulent sim swop is conducted on the cellphone number and that allows the criminals to transact as if they were the account holder. Always use a secure and trusted Wi-Fi.