The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) urges bank customers to institute good banking habits to avoid becoming victims of phishing, vishing and smishing scams.<\/p>\n
Phishing, vishing and smishing are all methods of deceitfully obtaining personal information such as passwords, ID numbers and bank card details by tricking clients into believing they are from trusted sources, such as banks or legitimate companies.<\/p>
The SAPS explained the differences between the three types of scams:<\/strong><\/p>\n Phishing<\/strong><\/p> An email is sent, requesting the user to click on a link which then directs them to a \u201cspoofed\u201d website, designed to fool users into thinking that it is a legitimate attempt to obtain, verify or update contact details or other sensitive financial information.<\/p>\n The website will look almost exactly like that of a legitimate or a well-known financial institution.<\/p>\n Phishing emails, which are a form of spam emails, are typically sent in large numbers to consumer email accounts.<\/p>\n Vishing<\/strong><\/p>\n A fraudster phones their victim, posing as a bank official or service provider and uses social engineering tactics to manipulate them into disclosing confidential information, while at the same time leading them to believe they are speaking to the bank or service provider.<\/p>\n This information is then used to defraud the victim.<\/p>\n Smishing<\/strong><\/p>\n Much like phishing, an SMS is sent, but rather than obtaining information a user is tricked into downloading malware onto their mobile device which is then used to fraudulently obtain sensitive information by sending out text messages, asking users to call a number or click on a link.<\/p>\n Helpful tips to keep your information safe<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Do not click on links or icons in unsolicited emails.<\/p>\n \u2022 Never reply to these emails, rather delete them immediately.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not believe the content of unsolicited emails blindly.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you are concerned about what is being alleged in the email, use your own contact details to contact the sender and confirm.<\/p>\n \u2022 Always type in the uniform resource locator (URL) or domain name for your bank in the address bar of your internet browser if you need to access your bank\u2019s website.<\/p>\n \u2022 Check that you are on your bank’s genuine website before inputting any personal information.<\/p>\n \u2022 Make sure you are not on a spoof site by clicking on the security icon on your browser toolbar to see that the URL begins with https rather than http.<\/p>\n \u2022 Check for a closed green padlock next to the URL of the website.<\/p>\n A green padlock shows that your connection with the website is secured and encrypted.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you think you might have been compromised, contact your bank immediately.<\/p>\n \u2022 Create complicated passwords that are not easy to decipher and change them often.<\/p>\n \u2022Banks will never ask you to confirm your confidential information over the phone.<\/p>\n If you receive a phone call requesting confidential or personal information, do not respond and end the call.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you receive a one-time pin (OTP) on your phone without having transacted yourself, it was likely prompted by a fraudster using your personal information.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not provide the OTP telephonically to anybody, instead contact your bank immediately to alert them to the possibility that your information may have been compromised.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you lose mobile connectivity under circumstances where you are usually connected, check whether you may have been the victim of a SIM swap.<\/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: Be warned \u2013 criminals are ready to cash in this festive season<\/a><\/h4>\n