Data breach exposes personal and business information to suspected fraudster

CONSUMER, business and credit information services agency, Experian, has experienced a breach of data which has exposed some personal information of as many as 24 million South Africans and 793 749 business entities to a suspected fraudster.

Experian has confirmed that the breach has been reported to law enforcement and the appropriate regulatory authorities.

Banks have been working with Experian and South African Banking Risk Centre (SABRIC) to identify which of their customers may have been exposed to the breach and to protect their personal information, even as the investigation unfolds.

Banks and SABRIC have also been cooperating with Experian in their efforts to secure the data and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

Banks will communicate with their customers about how they may be affected by the breach and what is being done to protect them.

“The compromise of personal information can create opportunities for criminals to impersonate you but does not guarantee access to your banking profile or accounts. However, criminals can use this information to trick you into disclosing your confidential banking details,” said SABRIC CEO, Nischal Mewalall.

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Should you suspect that your identity has been compromised, apply immediately for a free Protective Registration listing with Southern Africa Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS).

This service alerts SAFPS members, which includes banks and credit providers, that your identity has been compromised and that additional care needs to be taken to confirm that they are transacting with the legitimate identity holder. Consumers wanting to apply for a Protective Registration can contact SAFPS at protection@safps.org.za.

SABRIC and SAFPS urge bank customers and other consumers to follow sound identity management practices to mitigate the risk of impersonation and fraudulent applications in your name.

“Think of your identity information in the same way as you think of cash,” explained Manie van Schalkwyk, SAFPS CEO. “Keep it safe and secure at all times, because once it is compromised, it can be used by anybody, often to impersonate you.”

It is also recommended that bank customers follow precautionary measures, including:

• Do not disclose personal information such as passwords and PINS when asked to do so by anyone via telephone, fax, text messages or even email.
• Change your password regularly and never share them with anyone else.
• Verify all requests for personal information and only provide it when there is a legitimate reason to do so.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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