Stay Scam-Smart This Long Weekend: How to Shop Safely and Avoid Fraud
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By Irene Auma, Head of Risk, Visa, SSA.
Long weekends in South Africa are a time to relax, spoil loved ones and take advantage of shopping deals. But with the increase in spending and travel, it also becomes a peak period for scammers to strike. As more South Africans turn to digital payments for shopping, entertainment, and getaways, fraudsters are using new tactics to target unsuspecting consumers.
Visa’s Stay Secure study[1] highlights that, 64% of South African adult’s report having been victims of a scam or fraud at least once. While over half (52%) worry that friends or family might fall for scam emails offering free gift cards or products, 71% admit they are likely to engage with messages containing enticing hooks like “free gift,” “you’ve been selected,” or “you’re a winner.” Basic scam detection habits are also lacking, with only 57% checking if an email is from a valid sender and just 33% scrutinizing messages for correct spelling—emphasising the need for ongoing awareness around digital fraud. With the increasing reliance on digital transactions, staying informed is one of the most effective ways to stay protected.
Common Scams to Watch Out For:
1. Fraudsters Want Your Codes
Many banking and financial apps require a one-time passcode for authentication. Scammers impersonate bank or government officials, claiming to need the code to verify a transaction or update security settings. Once they obtain it, they gain access to accounts, putting both money and personal data at risk. The biggest red flag is an unexpected request to reset a password or account information due to a data breach, which 68 percent of survey respondents identified as highly suspicious.
2. Fake Apps and Websites
Be cautious of spoofed apps or websites designed to steal your personal information. Fraudsters even create fake holiday-themed apps which contain malware to infect your devices and collect payment data and login credentials.
3. Gift Card & Fake Charity Scams
Scammers often send fake emails or messages requesting donations for charity, especially around long weekends, using emotional appeals to trick well-meaning individuals. Some fraudsters ask for payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, which are harder to trace and recover. Donate only through verified charity websites and avoid requests for gift card payments.
4. Travel-Related Scams
With millions traveling during the long weekends, scammers target hotels, vacation and airline industries to steal data and money. Fake travel websites, which lure customers with low prices, upcharge for amenities and then cut off communication with would-be-travelers, leaving them stranded and out of money. Call center scams use malvertising to promote fake sites leading to victims chatting with “customer service” to steal payment details and personal information. Another scam fraudsters are using this holiday season involves a fraudster impersonating a travel company to send a false cancellation email, asking for credit card information to “rebook” a flight.
Tips to Stay Secure:
- Verify Websites: Verify the URLs of the websites that you visit – make sure you verify you’re on the official website of where you are shopping and that the web address has an “https” in front of the site.
- Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, and be wary of being asked to pay through methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers and gift cards.
- Enable Purchase Alerts: Take a moment to sign up for purchase alerts on your accounts to get real-time notifications of all transactions and flag anything unrecognized to your bank immediately.
- Protect OTPs: Never share one-time passcodes or other sensitive information, even with someone claiming to be a bank or government representative.
- Beware of Suspicious Emails and Calls: Double-check directly with the company or institution before sharing any details.
As digital payments become more common, consumers expect higher levels of security. Retailers, banks, and payment providers can build trust by implementing authentication measures such as texted confirmation codes and security badges. According to Visa’s Stay Secure study 65% of South African consumers believe they are knowledgeable enough to avoid online and phone scams, yet 90% are likely to overlook common warning signs of fraud.
By staying vigilant and following a few simple precautions, you can enjoy a secure and worry-free this long weekend.
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