Safety awareness against fraud and scams

With crimes of fraud and scams on the rise, many people have fallen victim to these crimes. No one is immune to fraud and scams but people can protect themselves. 

The South African Police Service has outlined some tips on how people can protect themselves and their families against fraud and scams.

What you should do to prevent falling victim to scams and fraud:

• Never respond to emails or cell phone messages appearing to be from your bank, which requests your personal 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.
• 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.