Nedbank has issued a fraud alert to its clients, warning them not to be fooled by fake discounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nedbank said that scammers are posing as well-known companies, including airlines and streaming services, offering fake discounts if you download an app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These apps are, however, dangerous and can compromise the information on a mobile device. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To stay safe, Nedank said that customers should only install apps from official stores, such as Apple App Store or Google Play Store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, warnings after installing unknown resources should also not be ignored. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unusual requests should also be double-checked, with customers researching the offers presented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Antivirus software also needs to be updated regularly, while customers should also be cautious over apps that ask for too many permissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those who believe that they have been scammed, they must change their banking password straight away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This adds to a growing list of scams for which Nedbank has issued warnings in the last few months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In May, the Big Four bank warned that cybercriminals only need a short clip of one’s voice to create realistic-sounding voice messages claiming to be you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa is seeing a rise in deepfake scams, but Nedbank has also cautioned customers to watch out for \u201cold-school\u201d tactics from criminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If scammers can get recordings of your facial data, they can also create deepfake videos that promote a \u201cgreat investment opportunities” through AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll add screenshots of fake bank pay-outs and testimonials to make them look more credible. They can post these videos on your hacked accounts or DM them to your friends, family and social media followers, urging them to invest and receive high returns,\u201d said Nedbank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf the people targeted from your contact list accept the deepfake as real, they\u2019ll have no reason to doubt that you\u2019re sharing something that worked for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nedbank also warned about six other classic scams to be on the lookout for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fake loans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fraudsters can promise loans that entice people in financial distress with promises such as \u201cno credit checks\u201d or \u201cqualify even if you\u2019re blacklisted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n These scammers request \u201can administration fee\u201d before paying the loan into one’s account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you pay that fee, you may also compromise your online banking details. The scammer then uses your details to add themselves as a beneficiary on your account, which you then approve because you think you\u2019re approving the payment of the loan,” said Nedbank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fake jobs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media adverts that promise easy jobs at excellent salaries also attempt \u201cadministration fee\u201d scams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fraudsters will again acquire your banking details and take the money out of your account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parcels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A well-known scam that many South Africans often receive involves a message claiming that you have a parcel waiting for you with unpaid fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nedbank said that South Africans should never click on any links in these messages, make payments, or share their banking details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cInstead, contact your local Post Office or courier company directly. They can confirm whether there are any packages for you and what is owed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you haven\u2019t bought anything from a supplier in another country, it\u2019s most likely a scam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phone calls<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The scam involves someone impersonating a friend or family member who is in trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re hoping you\u2019ll think you recognise the voice and say a name so that they can pretend to be that person, asking for your help in an emergency. If they\u2019ve hacked your social media accounts, they might use the name of someone you know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nedbank said that personal information or financial details should never be shared with someone who does not identify themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if they have the name of someone you know, check to see if they have the same number as the one saved on your phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can contact the person on a different platform or check through a mutual contact to see if their number has changed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inheritance messages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Any message that claims you\u2019ve inherited money should be ignored, the message deleted, and the sender blocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A normal inheritance process involves legal documentation and formal procedures, including requiring individuals to identify themselves before bank details are distributed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fake celebrity endorsements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Any message from celebrities, particularly endorsements for cryptocurrency, are probably a scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRealistically, why would Beyonc\u00e9 be sending you a DM asking for an e-wallet? It might seem obvious, but at the moment, it\u2019s easy to get swept away by the idea that your favourite celeb has reached out to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n