Don't be scammed on Black Friday

BLACK FRIDAY has become one of the biggest shopping events in South Africa, with retailers offering tempting discounts online and in-store. However, with this excitement comes risk.

A shocking 50% of respondents in JustMoney’s recent large-scale survey, Money & Me, have been scammed at least once. Most of these scams occurred on social media, but as money-stretched consumers search for good deals, general vigilance is needed.

Sarah Nicholson, Head of Customer Experience at JustMoney said as excitement builds and spending ramps up, criminals use the urgency of ‘limited-time offers’, cloned websites, phishing, and other ploys to catch people off guard.

“Black Friday can help you save, but only if you plan carefully and take action to stay ahead of criminals,” said Nicholson.

JustMoney offers ten tips to help you avoid being scammed.  

1. Watch out for fake online stores. Scammers frequently set up websites that resemble well-known retailers. These are often advertised on social media. Check that the web address matches the genuine site address, and that it contains contact details, along with return and refund policies. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Don’t click on SMS or WhatsApp discount links. If you receive an email offer that takes you to a website, don’t click on the link. Instead, visit the official site and check that the special is shown there too.
3. Ensure your browser and device operating systems are up to date. This will improve defence against newly discovered security vulnerabilities.
4. Use strong, unique passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security beyond a username and password, as more than one type of verification is required before access is granted to an account or system.
5. Beware of extreme urgency. Scammers love countdown timers and “last chance” alerts. Bear in mind that real deals don’t disappear in seconds, and genuine retailers don’t pressure you emotionally to buy.
6. Use a shopping app rather than a website. Online shopping apps often have enhanced security features, including multi-factor authentication and biometric options.
7. Use a credit card rather than a debit card. Credit cards, although more expensive, offer a buffer of protection for fraud detection and repudiation.
8. Set up a separate email account for Black Friday shopping. This can help reduce spam and phishing attacks on your personal, everyday email account and lower the risk of personal information being stolen.
9. Keep track of bank notifications. Turn on app notifications or SMS alerts, so you can spot suspicious transactions promptly. If something looks wrong, contact your bank at once.
10. Stop using your card immediately if you think you’ve been scammed. Call your bank to freeze your card or report the transaction on your banking app. Change your online banking and email passwords.

“Black Friday deals should never come at the expense of your financial health. A deal isn’t a bargain if it leaves you scammed. Do your homework and stay alert, or those savings could turn into a financial disaster,” said Nicholson.

Some useful tools

• Yima website vulnerability scanner. Use this free South African platform to check for website authenticity and flag suspicious websites, phishing scams, and counterfeit online stores.  https://www.yima.org.za/

• The Cybersecurity Hub. Find resources and guidance on handling and reporting cyber threats. https://www.cybersecurityhub.gov.za/
• Southern African Fraud Prevention Service. A non-profit organisation that provides support regarding fraud, financial crime, and identity theft. https://www.safps.org.za/ | 011 867 2234 | safps@safps.org.za

SUNDAY TRIBUNE