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As the festive season kicks off, expect to see an increase in scams, especially those impersonating courier and other delivery services.
Scamsters randomly send tens of thousands of emails, hoping that some consumers will be caught out.
Once the victim clicks on the link provided, they are directed to a web page where they are asked to pay a small fee to have their package delivered.
READ: Black Friday opens a cybercrime floodgate: Tips to stay safe when shopping online
What the scamsters are really after are the credit card details used to make the payment.
One of the most commonly impersonated brands is the Post Office, which this week issued a warning against fraudsters pretending to be from them. Scams often involve an action that must be taken by the reader to provide bank details, send an online picture of the ID, click on a link to be rewarded with a possible gift or the like.
Customers should note the following:
- The Post Office website is www.postoffice.co.za Any other web address included in the notice to be a scam.
- The Post Office does not receive online payment for parcels, nor will they request bank details for payment.
- The Post Office will never call you and ask for the above details.
- If you feel something is suspicious, hang up and call the Post Office back.
- The Post Office will not ask you to scan your ID online.
- The Post Office will not be part of a scam campaign where you would pay R15 and then receive a box filled with gifts.
- A Facebook business page called South African Post Express purports to sell pallets of ‘undelivered parcels’. It’s a scam!
- Watch out for spelling errors. This is often a sign of a scam.
The list of scam types is endless and the onslaught is picking up as we enter the holiday season. Be alert. Rather be safe than sorry.
