Sharing Is NOT Caring!
Ever considered sharing your personal items with a complete stranger? Your underwear, razor or toothbrush? If the answer is YES, we're honestly not surprised. Why? Because South Africans have the habit of sharing things far more sensitive like passwords, banking PINs and other types of confidential information that
should remain private.
In 2018, over R2-million was stolen collectively through various types of banking scams simply because South Africans share their confidential information too easily. 1 in 3 South Africans admitted to sharing confidential information with strangers. If you’re in the habit of sharing your private banking, card, contact or online account information, then hold on tight, you're in for rude awakening (and can't promise you'll come back).
"It Will Never Happen To Me... Will It?"
When it does, you'll be amazed at how easily it happened. Criminals use social engineering tactics to trick victims into sharing their PINs or passwords. A criminal only needs one or two numbers from you to begin hacking your personal accounts and emptying your wallets.
According to Kalyani Pillay, SABRIC CEO; “
We have seen a sharp increase in vishing incidents, where criminals phone bank customers, lead them to believe that they are speaking to the bank or a legitimate service provider and will then ask them for confidential information".
In case you didn't know, vishing is voice phishing.
Just remember: A bank will never call you to ask for your passwords and PIN. In the event of such calls, put the phone down immediately.
YOU Are Your Money's Best Protection
Protecting your money starts with educating yourself about the various types of scams you’re likely to encounter. Brace yourself, they come in all shapes and sizes. Rather be paranoid than have an empty bank account.
Spot The S.C.A.M
Let's talk about your gut. The key to spotting a scam is learning how to trust how it feels (outside of hunger pangs). SABRIC have highlighted only a few of the multitude of scams out there, however they all have very similar characteristics that should make your gut twist a little when presented with one. They’ve identified four major tell-tale signs that will help you spot the scam before it’s too late.
Seems To Good To Be True
Scammers will often trick you into purchasing products or clicking on links that seem too good to be true. Before signing your life away for a summer cruise for only R24, do some research before blindly trusting a product or brand online.
Contacted Out Of The Blue
Scammers will often send an email, SMS or call you out of the blue with an offer or a request for your confidential information. Never give your details or click on a link from a source you’re not familiar with.
Asked For Banking Details
Scammers can often pose as professional services requesting your confidential information. It doesn't matter if they sounds like Bruce Springsteen or sing like Taylor Swift - NEVER give your password details or banking details to anyone over the phone, via SMS or email.
Money Is Requested
Scammers can often pose as friends or family and will beg you for money. No matter how big your heart is, NEVER make payments to any bank account without double-checking the validity of the request.
Choose Your Endgame
Avoid the awkward embarrassment of having to explain how your money cruised off to an exotic location instead of you. We all need to work harder at educating ourselves about scams, listening to our gut instinct and never, ever sharing confidential information with people over the phone, via SMS or email – no matter how professional they may seem.
Learn how to spot the scam before it spots you.
For More Information
For more information about SABRIC and how you can protect your details, visit
www.sabric.co.za.
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