December in South Africa is synonymous with holidays, travel, and a significant increase in online transactions. From securing those last-minute flights and booking accommodation to snapping up holiday gifts and managing digital payments, we lean into the convenience that the online world offers.
This high-activity environment is, unfortunately, a fertile ground for scams and fraud. Criminals exploit the urgency and distraction of the festive season, often succeeding in moments when our guard is down. Protecting your digital life – which includes your money, identity, personal data, devices, and online accounts – is now a key component of modern individual and family safety.
Guarding what matters most
The “Science of Success” teaches us that success favours the focused. When you are focused on safeguarding what matters most to you, you create a robust foundation for achieving your broader financial and personal goals. In the digital world, this means cultivating high-awareness behaviours.
Digital awareness is not just about technical know-how; it’s essential financial protection. By applying simple, practical checks, you can prevent fraud and ensure uninterrupted participation in the digital economy.
Here is a list of actionable steps to protect your digital assets, ensuring you know when to trust, double-check, or walk away.
1. Stop the phish
The check: Look closely at the sender’s email address or website URL. Scammers use tiny, subtle changes (e.g., Momentumlnsure.co.za instead of MomentumInsure.co.za – note the ‘l’ instead of ‘I’). Never click links or download attachments from unsolicited emails or texts. If a message creates extreme urgency, promising a prize or threatening an account closure, consider it a major red flag. Always type the official website address directly into your browser.
2. Master password health
The check: Use a strong, unique password for every critical account (especially banking, email, and social media). A strong password is long and combines capital letters, lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a reputable password manager to create and store complex passwords, reducing your reliance on memory. Change any passwords you suspect might have been compromised immediately.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
The check: Confirm that 2FA is activated on every account that offers it. This includes email, banking, social media, and online shopping platforms. 2FA requires a second code (usually sent to your phone) in addition to your password. This single step is the most effective barrier against account takeover, even if a scammer steals your password.
4. Protect your personal data
The check: Never share sensitive personal information (like your PIN, one-time passwords/OTP, or the 3-digit CVV number on your card) via email, text, or a phone call, even if the person claims to be from your bank or an insurer. Legitimate financial institutions will never ask for this information. If you receive a request for sensitive personal information, end the call immediately or delete the message. Call the institution back using the official number listed on their website or your bank card.
5. Secure your devices
The check: Ensure your devices (phone, laptop, tablet) are protected with a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Keep your operating system and all apps updated to patch known security vulnerabilities. Avoid conducting sensitive transactions (like banking) while connected to public Wi-Fi networks, as they are often unencrypted and easily intercepted. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you must use public Wi-Fi.
6. Scrutinise online shopping
The check: Before making a payment, ensure the website has an ‘s’ in the address (https://…) and displays a padlock icon in the browser bar. Look for transparent return policies and accurate contact information. Be highly suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially on unfamiliar websites. Check reputable reviews before entering your card details. Use a virtual card to add another layer of protection when checking out online.
7. Regularly review your financial statements
The check: Take a few moments each week to quickly scan your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorised or unfamiliar transactions. Catching a small, fraudulent transaction early can prevent a much larger financial loss later. Report suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
Your safety, your success
By adopting these high-awareness checks, you secure your digital assets and take control of your safety. Protecting what matters most allows you to remain focused and successful – online and offline.
