Page 12 - TODAY magazine Issue 1 2021

STAYING SAFE
‘In addition to protecting your bank and credit card details, it’s important to check that a site is secure. Of course, it’s best to buy from an online store you’ve used before,’ says Varma. ‘Type in the full URL, that
is, the website address,
and not just the company name in the address bar. For instance, type www. oldmutual.co.za and not only Old Mutual. Then check that the URL starts with HTTPS, which indicates that a site is secure. If you can’t see these letters,
click on the URL itself
and they will appear.’ Be vigilant if they don’t.
Transacting on your phone is no less safe
than your desktop, as long as you update your apps regularly. The latest versions will have the latest security measures built in, which will help to protect you and your personal information.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
If you don’t know the right website address and have to search for it, it’s important to take a closer look at the link before clicking on it. Check first that the retailer’s name is spelt correctly and look
at online reviews of their products and services if you are uncertain.
On the site itself, be wary of poor spelling or sentences that don’t make sense. A fake site that promoted itself on Facebook had this garbled sentence on its ‘About Us’ page: ‘We love every passion and interest on Earth because it is a reference to your UNIQUENESS.’ If you were to search that exact sentence, a Time magazine article pointed out,
you would have found thousands of other sites with the exact wording on their ‘About Us’ pages. This would not have happened if the site were legitimate.
Also check an online shop’s returns policy. It is
not unusual for a fraudulent website to send buyers something that is not what they expected nor of the quality they were expecting. Often it’s only then that
a buyer discovers that returning the item will be too costly and too much
of a hassle to bother with. So the fraudulent seller has your money and you don’t have what you paid for.
That’s not to say that returning items to a legitimate seller will always be free. On more expensive items, you could be charged for the courier and on imported goods, some companies deduct a fee.
Whenever a seller on Gumtree, Facebook, or anywhere else for that matter, asks you to pay
a deposit, or pay upfront for the courier, a container for your package or to get the item from point A to point B before it can be sent to
you, or for anything else, just don’t. This is a huge red flag. Similarly, if a private seller asks you to pay by scanning a QR code,
be vigilant. Oftentimes
fraudsters replace legitimate QR codes with fake ones to divert payments to their own bank account.
Lastly, Varma recommends being careful about what information you share or transactions you
do using public Wi-Fi. It might be convenient and free, but fraudsters could intercept your connection and get hold of your usernames, passwords
YOUR LIFE // ONLINE SHOPPING
1. Gumtree
WHERE TO REPORT SCAMS
Follow the steps at help.gumtree.co.za and check Gumtree’s blog for their list of the most popular scams. ‘I am working overseas and cannot view the item in person, but will pay’ is a common one to watch out for.
2. Facebook
Click on the three dots at the top of the post on the right and select ‘report post’.
3. SAPS
Open a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS). They recently arrested 11 people who ran an online dating scam by posting fake profiles.
3. INTERPOL
Forward advance-free letters (419 letters) or lottery scams to INTERPOL, which will alert SAPS’ Commercial Crimes Unit. Call them on 012 309 3866 or email vdventera@saps.org.za
4. TIP-OFFS ANONYMOUS
If you are a victim of fraud or unethical behaviour, report it to Tip-Offs Anonymous, an anonymous service provided by Deloitte. Call them toll-free on 0800 222 117, email toahotline@tip-offs.com or visit tip-offs.com
5. OLD MUTUAL
Email Old Mutual Group Forensic Services at gfs@oldmutual.com
and sensitive data while you’re online. // 10 // ISSUE ONE 2021
ILLUSTRATION: GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES, FREEPIK. PHOTO: SUPPLIED