With Black Friday around the corner, new research shows South Africans are increasingly at risk of online fraud. According to JustMoney’s latest Money & Me survey, 50% of respondents say they have been scammed at least once with most incidents taking place on social media, where financially strained consumers hunt for deals.
Sarah Nicholson, Head of Customer Experience at JustMoney, says the shopping frenzy creates the perfect environment for cybercriminals.
“As excitement builds and spending ramps up, criminals use the urgency of ‘limited-time offers’, cloned websites, phishing, and other ploys to catch people off guard,” Nicholson said.
She warned that while Black Friday can offer genuine savings, shoppers will only benefit if they take precautions.
“Black Friday can help you save, but only if you plan carefully and take action to stay ahead of criminals,” she said.
JustMoney has outlined ten essential safety tips including avoiding discount links sent via SMS or WhatsApp, enabling multi-factor authentication, using strong passwords, and choosing credit cards over debit cards for better fraud protection.
Shoppers are also urged to watch out for fake online stores, keep their devices updated, and closely monitor bank notifications for unusual activity.
Nicholson stressed the importance of staying alert:
“A deal isn’t a bargain if it leaves you scammed. Do your homework and stay alert, or those savings could turn into a financial disaster.”