Card Fraud Is On The Rise

Tips to help you keep your money safe from fraudsters this festive season

- Athabile Mrasi

NOW that the festive season is around the corner, criminals will try to take advantage of consumers who are receiving their bonuses or stokvel payout, resulting in many scams. But what happens when you lose your bank card or you experience card fraud? The tips below will help you avoid card fraud. BE VIGILANT Kalyani Pillay, CEO of the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), says criminals are always looking for opportunities to defraud people, particularly at this time of year when they know that people are winding down for the holidays and will be spending their bonuses. “Be aware of the latest crime trends so that you do not become a victim. Lost and stolen card fraud is still on the increase. Do not accept any assistance at ATMs. By interrupting you at the ATM, bank cards are swopped, stolen or trapped in the ATM, only to be used later by the fraudster. PIN numbers are easily acquired by shoulder surfing, enabling the fraudster to use the card immediately. Be extremely vigilant when it comes to giving out personal and confidential information,” advises Kalyani.