Protect yourself against fraud and scams
With crime at an all time high, especially this time of the year, consumers are cautioned against scammers and fraudsters.
AMANZIMTOTI police would like to warn the community about the escalating cases of fraud that’s being reported.
Also read: How to protect your children from online gaming fraud
Police spokesperson Charlene van der Spuy said while the festive season was often characterised by criminality, it was vital for the consumers and the general public to exercise caution to safeguard both their property and their hard-earned cash.
“Types of fraud committed include card cloning, online, petrol card and asset-based or vehicle sales. Regarding asset-based fraud, fraudsters physically visit car dealerships with fraudulent documents and then make purchase applications. The dealers will only become aware of the fraud after collection of the cars,” said Van der Spuy.
Swindlers are internet-savvy too. With online or social media, especially Facebook, they would advertise and display vehicles that were for sale. Upon response, unsuspecting victims would be lured to secluded places and eventually robbed of their cash and other personal belongings.
“In some instances, suspects use social media to advertise various products and victims will then be given account numbers to make payments but no deliveries will be made. The victims will realise when they follow up that they have been conned,” she said.
Also read: Don’t fall victim to ATM scams this festive season
What you can do to prevent falling victim to fraud and scams:
· Never send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust.
· Never respond to emails or cell phone messages appearing to be from your bank, which request your details. Remember that no bank will ever ask you to confirm or update your account details by email.
· Never provide your online ID, password or pin to anyone and never write them down or share them.
· Do not save your internet banking password on your desktop.
· Do not leave your computer unattended after you have entered your internet banking password.
· Always log off or sign off at the end of a session.
· Avoid doing internet banking in public areas such as Internet cafés, or on any computer that can be accessed by people you do not know.
· Avoid isolated ATMs and do not use them late at night.
· Never accept help from strangers when using any ATM.
· In business transactions, do not pay money into accounts that are received via email, changing known account numbers to new ones without verifying with the company you are doing business with.
Contact:
Crime Stop: 08600 10111
Emergency Line: 10111.
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