10 Scams To Be On The Look Out For
Not everyone is as committed and dedicated to actually working hard and earning a living. Instead people would rather dedicate their time and energy into stealing form people. Sad part is that they use smart methods to do this because half the time it’s not physical stealing. Scammers are everywhere, and the more you know about them, the more you can protect yourself. Have a look at the list below to wise up.
1. Pickpocketing
This scam is considered to be a classic as it has been around for what feels like forever. Even elderly people have stories of how they got pick pocketed. To avoid it, try to hold your bag in front of you, don’t put your wallet in your back pocket and don’t carry more cash than you can afford to lose. Keep your eyes open and try to always walk in brightly lit areas that aren’t too crowded.
2. Phishing
These are the e-mails supposebly from your bank requesting various online actions, all to gain access to your bank accounts.
A young woman who got caught says she got an e-mail from her bank prompting her to verify her details. What she didn’t realise was that the link provided was to a fraudulent website. The website page that I clicked on to looked exactly the same as my bank’s site, and I even received an RVN number (a one-time PIN) on my cellphone, so I thought it was all legitimate. Next thing she knew, an amount of R15 300 went out of her account. The money came out in two large sums, R9 000 and R4 000.
Lesson: Rather do any banking related issues on a personal scale.
3. SMSing
SA has one of the highest cellphone scam rates in the world, so it’s a wide open field for the SMS version of phishing. Many people have received an SMS requesting account verification or, occasionally, an alarmist message requesting you to make a call rather than go to a false link. The person on the other end of the line is a fraudster determined to get information, including your PIN code. Remember, as banks keep telling us, you will never be asked for your PIN over the phone.
4. False payment confirmations
When selling goods online, if the recipient says they’ve deposited the money, don’t rely only on the sms for confirmation of payments. There are cases of people who had received payment sms’s only to find out that the payment had not been made. When buying goods the hoax payment confirmation by SMS usually appears to come from your bank. Always verify that the money is indeed in your account before releasing the goods.
5. Unethical app downloads charges
Criminals and unethical developers are now using premium-rated SMSes to defraud people via the mobile applications they download. At the end of 2011, Google removed 22 applications from the Android cellphone market because they conned people into agreeing to premium SMS charges.
The first line of defence against any SMS fraud is to diligently check your phone bills for any unusual amounts being deducted. And only download the more popular apps.
6. SIM swops
One of the outcomes of a phishing scam could be a SIM swop. The fraudster already has your cellphone number and can get enough additional information to request a SIM swop from your network operator. They then have access to both your bank account details and the SIM card needed to complete transactions. Fortunately, the networks have tightened up on their SIM swop processes and this type of fraud is decreasing. If your cellphone ever stops working for no reason, you should assume the worst and contact your bank and network operator immediately.
7. Credit card skimming
Card skimming is a global problem and usually takes place when fraudsters capture carddata on devices similar to those used for legitimate point-of-sale or ATM transactions. The devices fit snugly over the card slot on an ATM and can even include a camera to record the PIN. But the main point of compromise is when you hand your card to someone to do a transaction. Never let your card out of your sight and when entering your PIN, cover the PIN pad.
8. Dodge subscription services
Most people who fall victim to this scam are contract cellphone users. Cellphone users need to be aware of wireless application service providers. Unlike the desktop internet where credit card numbers need to be entered and orders need to be confirmed, on a mobile device all that is needed to bill you is your cellphone number.
For example: A “service provider” which sends you an SMS saying you’re now subscribed to it, at a cost of R20 a day. You should especially be concerned if you didn’t make any subscriptions. You need to regularly check your phone bills looking for charges you didn’t authorise or ongoing charges for subscription services that you didn’t realise weren’t one-offs.
9. Fake Goods
If you’re buying anything expensive, beware of fakes. It’s big business, and a lot of it happens online. Example: Police arrested four men who tried to con a businessman into buying fake gems worth R250 000. The businessman set up an operation and the men were arrested. The “gems” were nothing more than four pieces of glass covered in themelted silicone tube of a TV set.
10. Microsoft scam
These scamsters call you on your cellphone or home phone claiming to be a Microsoft employee. They tell you they have found out you have a problem with your computer which in most cases you do. Then they ask you all sorts of questions and prompt you to do all sorts of things with your computer “to sort out the problem”. Their aim is to get into your computer, and to access all your private info.
