The festive season is upon as and everyone is in a feel good mood and making Christmas and New Year’s Eve preparations to celebrate with friends and family. All that excitement and increased spending comes with thieves & scammers just looking to take advantage of busy shoppers and stokvel payouts.
While many people will be out bargain-hunting and sale-surfing, the South African Police Services (SAPS) urge all consumers and shoppers to practice safety and be vigilant at all times as thieves anticipate this busy season as well, hoping to turn unaware shoppers into victims of crime and fraud. Personal safety is a matter of shared responsibility between the police and members of the public.
To ensure that your shopping experience is safe, here are some safety tips to exercise at all times:
Cash Safety
- Be vigilant at all times.
- Keep your cash & valuables safe.
- Carry as little cash as possible.
- Consider the convenience of paying your accounts electronically (consult your bank to find out about other available options).
- Consider making use of cell phone banking or internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking
- Use alternative banking methods such as Internet Banking and Cellphone Banking
ATM Safety
- Always cover your pin by shielding the hand that is typing it – even if you are alone at an ATM
- Never share your ATM pin with anyone.
- Never accept help or ask anyone to assist you at the ATM – rather go inside the bank for help
- Online shopping and mobile money
- Register for 3D secure, otherwise known as verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode before making online purchases with your bank card
- Be cautious of notifications that you have won any competitions, especially if you did not enter – do not respond with any personal information
- Put sensible transaction limits on your accounts.
- Only provide your credit card details to reputable companies.
Online Safety shopping
- If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.
- NEVER send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust.
Personal safety – Be crime conscious – be aware of crime opportunities at all times!
This measures are designed to make it difficult for criminals and scammers to target you, they are not absolute defensive mechanisms but by making it difficult for scammers to have access to your money you stand a better chance to protect yourself.
