In recent months the Elsburg SAPS have dealt with a large number of fraud cases involving SIM swops and victim\u2019s banking details being obtained through their cellphones.<\/p>\n
In light of this Const Daphney Phooko, the communications officer for the Elsburg SAPS, together with her team have put together tips on dealing with SIM card fraud and phishing.<\/p>
Avoiding SIM card fraud:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 If you receive an SMS stating that a SIM swop request is pending on your account, get in touch with your service provider immediately.<\/p> \u2022 If you receive a call from a person claiming to be from your network provider\u2019s customer care centre telling you to switch off your phone, do not switch it off as this is a trick by fraudsters to do a SIM swop without your knowledge.<\/p>\n \u2022 If someone calls you claiming to be from your service provider, telling you to ignore an SMS about a pending SIM swop request. Don\u2019t ignore it, follow up on it.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you suspect SIM card fraud, tell your service provider to deactivate your SIM card immediately.<\/p>\n \u2022 How do you know if your SIM card has been swopped? In two ways \u2013 you won\u2019t receive SMS notifications from your bank and you won\u2019t be able to make or receive calls or messages.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get phished:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 If you receive an unexpected email or SMS from your bank, no matter how genuine it looks, be suspicious. Call your bank\u2019s customer care centre to confirm the contents of the message.<\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t respond to the unknown emails or SMS messages, and don\u2019t click on any links.<\/p>\n \u2022 When you need to log into your internet banking, always do so by typing the address directly into your browser, not by following a link.<\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t do your internet banking on a public computer, for example at internet caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you encounter an unprotected, free Wi-Fi spot, don\u2019t log into it \u2013 a scammer could have set it up in the hope that they can obtain personal details from you while you\u2019re using it.<\/p>\n Remember:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Your smartphone or tablet contains valuable information that fraudsters would love to get their hands on. Password-protect your devices and set the screen to lock after a minute of inactivity.<\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t save your pins or passwords for any personal accounts on your device.<\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t fall into the habit of using just one password for all of your accounts, use strong passwords, and change them regularly.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not fall victim to such incidents, be alert at all times.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you suspect any unlawful or unethical practices call your network provider and report the matter to the police,\u201d said Phooko.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nALSO READ:<\/h4>\n
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