The Cleveland SAPS has urged the public to be more vigilant of scams and fraud as the festive season approaches.
The police issued the following tips and advice:
Phishing is one of the methods used by fraudsters to obtain personal information such as passwords, identity numbers and credit card details. They do this by calling, sending emails or cellular phone messages that look like they come from trusted sources, such as banks or legitimate companies.
Typically, these emails or cellular phone messages request that users click on a link in the email, which will direct users to a copied website – a site designed to fool users into thinking it is legitimate, to obtain, verify or update contact details or other sensitive financial information. These emails and messages also contain a telephone number and contact person whom you should call, as you are promised you could win large sums of money.
To prevent becoming a victim:
- Never respond to emails or cellular phone messages appearing to be from your bank. No bank will ever ask you to confirm or update your account details by email.
- Never provide your online ID, password or PIN number 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.
- Change your PIN and passwords frequently.
- Put sensible transaction limits on your accounts.
- Only provide your credit card details to reputable companies.
- 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.
