24/11/2024
⚠️ *Holiday Shopping Safety Alert!* 🛍️🎄
Black Friday and Christmas are great for shopping—but also for scams! Scammers try and use various ways to gain access to sensitive information, and these are commonly referred to as phishing attempts and can happen via emails, SMSs, Whatsapps or even phone calls. Here’s how to protect yourself and your money:
☎️ *Fake Calls:* Scammers may call pretending to be from your bank, saying there's a problem with your account or asking for your PIN or OTP. The same goes for any other company! Don’t share these details—No legitimate company or person will ever ask for your OTP over the phone.
📧 *Fake Emails:* Be careful with emails offering huge discounts or saying you’ve won something. Don’t click on links or download attachments unless you’re 100% sure it’s real. Always check the actual sender email address, not just the display name!
📲 *Fake Texts/SMS/Whatsapps:* Scammers might send texts about fake deliveries or offers, or even send payment links to "release your parcel", "skip the wait" or to process "customs fees". Always check the sender carefully and don’t click unknown links, rather contact the company directly.
💳 *Banking Scams:* Watch out for fake messages or calls saying there’s suspicious activity on your account. Instead of following their instructions, call your bank directly using the number on your card or on their official website.
*Stay Safe Tips:*
✔️ Shop only on trusted websites or official apps, if not in-store
✔️ Look for "HTTPS" or a padlock symbol in the website’s address, and double-check the spelling. Some websites impersonate well-known ones, for example *_http_*://www.*_takealoot_*.co. za versus *_https_:*//www.*_takealot_*.co. za
✔️ Verify deals by contacting the store directly.
✔️ Don’t feel rushed—scammers want you to panic!
✔️ Use two-step verification for your accounts.
Share this with loved ones—let’s keep everyone safe this season! 🎁✨
