On average, according to the 2018 Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey, the rate of reported economic crime is 77 per cent compared to the average global rate of 49 per cent, and it\u2019s getting worse.<\/p>\n
The latest figures available show that in 2017 there was a 56 per cent increase in new fraud listings on the South African Fraud Prevention Services and a 52 per cent increase in victim listings.<\/p>
\u201cThe best way to avoid being scammed is not to think it can\u2019t happen to you,\u201d said Samantha Brass, head of legal, risk and compliance at DirectAxis.<\/p>\n
\u201cFraudsters target anyone and everyone, so you need to be alert all the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the festive season there\u2019s often an increase in scams.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis may be because criminals try to target year-end bonuses, or they believe that people relaxing on holiday might not be as vigilant as normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scams are presented in many different ways, from simple appeals for money, to sophisticated schemes where they imitate recognisable brands\u2019 websites or even friends\u2019 social media.<\/p>\n
What all have in common is that they are trying to trick you into paying them money or to part with your personal details so they can steal your identity.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ: Katlehong North police warn community of scam<\/a><\/h4>\nThe three most common scams are:<\/p>\n
Upfront fees:<\/strong><\/p>\nThese scams ask you to pay an upfront fee.<\/p>\n
The reasons given can vary from an administration fee for a loan, to release the funds for a lottery win or for a transfer fee for an inheritance.<\/p>\n
Some of these are easier to spot than others.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve not bought a lottery ticket or don\u2019t know the relative who\u2019s left you an inheritance, it\u2019s almost certainly a scam.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s a loan that\u2019s offered and the amount seems high and the interest rates very low, be suspicious.<\/p>\n
Identity theft:<\/strong><\/p>\nInstead of trying to steal your money, these scams try to get you to hand over personal information such as your ID, passport information, driver\u2019s licence, e-mail account details or payslip.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s an example of a personal loan offer scam.<\/p>\n
The fraudsters often present these identity theft scams in a similar way to the upfront-fee scams, requesting the information so they can release a lottery payment, competition win, loan or inheritance.<\/p>\n
Instead, they use the information to open bank or retail accounts or take out loans in your name.<\/p>\n
You can end up being accountable for these debts.<\/p>\n
Remote access your personal and banking information:<\/strong><\/p>\nThis happens when criminals download software onto your computer so they can take control of it remotely or see the information you\u2019re typing in.<\/p>\n
As with most other scams there are variations of how it works, but a typical example is that you\u2019ll get a call or e-mail from someone pretending to be from one of the big software brands, an IT provider or even your bank.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll offer to remotely load some security or protective software or upgrades onto your computer.<\/p>\n
Once the software is installed, you\u2019ll be promoted to log into your online banking profile.<\/p>\n
Then you\u2019ll get one-time passwords (OTPs) on your phone to confirm transactions you haven\u2019t made.<\/p>\n
The scammer will then ask for these OTPs to \u2018block\u2019 them, but actually use the information to steal money from your account.<\/p>\n
Scams are not always easy to spot.<\/p>\n
Fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways of trying to trick you into paying them money or access your information.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Police warn of bank card scam<\/a><\/h4>\nHere are some tips on how to protect yourself:<\/strong><\/p>\n\u2022 Don\u2019t share your passwords or pin numbers with anyone.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Don\u2019t share personal information on social media sites.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Never let anyone have remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a well-known company, bank, IT or software provider.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don\u2019t know or trust.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Check for security devices on website and social pages such as padlocks and verification ticks\/ marks.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Be suspicious of e-mails or messages from friends that seem out of character or from well-known companies that contain spelling and grammatical errors or other inconsistencies such as Gmail addresses rather than a company domain e-mail.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Scammers use all the channels they can including phone, mail, e-mail and social media. Be careful about answering unsolicited messages.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Be wary of payment requests for goods or services you haven\u2019t or don\u2019t remember ordering, especially if you\u2019re asked to use an unusual payment method such as MoneyGram.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Check your credit rating regularly. A sudden, negative change in your rating may indicate someone is using your personal information fraudulently.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re suspicious or do get caught out, report the scam.<\/p>\n
The information you provide may lead to the scammers being prosecuted or at least the scam being shut down, so other people don\u2019t get defrauded.<\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\nContact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Ashley Kiley (Journalist)\u00a0ashleyk@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nAlso follow us on:<\/p>\n
These scams ask you to pay an upfront fee.<\/p>\n
The reasons given can vary from an administration fee for a loan, to release the funds for a lottery win or for a transfer fee for an inheritance.<\/p>\n
Some of these are easier to spot than others.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve not bought a lottery ticket or don\u2019t know the relative who\u2019s left you an inheritance, it\u2019s almost certainly a scam.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s a loan that\u2019s offered and the amount seems high and the interest rates very low, be suspicious.<\/p>\n
Identity theft:<\/strong><\/p>\n Instead of trying to steal your money, these scams try to get you to hand over personal information such as your ID, passport information, driver\u2019s licence, e-mail account details or payslip.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an example of a personal loan offer scam.<\/p>\n The fraudsters often present these identity theft scams in a similar way to the upfront-fee scams, requesting the information so they can release a lottery payment, competition win, loan or inheritance.<\/p>\n Instead, they use the information to open bank or retail accounts or take out loans in your name.<\/p>\n You can end up being accountable for these debts.<\/p>\n Remote access your personal and banking information:<\/strong><\/p>\n This happens when criminals download software onto your computer so they can take control of it remotely or see the information you\u2019re typing in.<\/p>\n As with most other scams there are variations of how it works, but a typical example is that you\u2019ll get a call or e-mail from someone pretending to be from one of the big software brands, an IT provider or even your bank.<\/p>\n They\u2019ll offer to remotely load some security or protective software or upgrades onto your computer.<\/p>\n Once the software is installed, you\u2019ll be promoted to log into your online banking profile.<\/p>\n Then you\u2019ll get one-time passwords (OTPs) on your phone to confirm transactions you haven\u2019t made.<\/p>\n The scammer will then ask for these OTPs to \u2018block\u2019 them, but actually use the information to steal money from your account.<\/p>\n Scams are not always easy to spot.<\/p>\n Fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways of trying to trick you into paying them money or access your information.<\/p>\n Here are some tips on how to protect yourself:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t share your passwords or pin numbers with anyone.<\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t share personal information on social media sites.<\/p>\n \u2022 Never let anyone have remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a well-known company, bank, IT or software provider.<\/p>\n \u2022 Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don\u2019t know or trust.<\/p>\n \u2022 Check for security devices on website and social pages such as padlocks and verification ticks\/ marks.<\/p>\n \u2022 Be suspicious of e-mails or messages from friends that seem out of character or from well-known companies that contain spelling and grammatical errors or other inconsistencies such as Gmail addresses rather than a company domain e-mail.<\/p>\n \u2022 Scammers use all the channels they can including phone, mail, e-mail and social media. Be careful about answering unsolicited messages.<\/p>\n \u2022 Be wary of payment requests for goods or services you haven\u2019t or don\u2019t remember ordering, especially if you\u2019re asked to use an unusual payment method such as MoneyGram.<\/p>\n \u2022 Check your credit rating regularly. A sudden, negative change in your rating may indicate someone is using your personal information fraudulently.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re suspicious or do get caught out, report the scam.<\/p>\n The information you provide may lead to the scammers being prosecuted or at least the scam being shut down, so other people don\u2019t get defrauded.<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Ashley Kiley (Journalist)\u00a0ashleyk@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\nALSO READ:\u00a0Police warn of bank card scam<\/a><\/h4>\n
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