Security and fraud awareness - protect yourself

Protect your personal information and prevent fraud

What’s personal information?

Any piece of information that – on its own or collectively – can uniquely identify you:

  • Name and surname
  • Identity/Passport number
  • Cellphone number
  • Bank account number, for example, cheque account
  • Credit card number and CVV (the three digits on the back of your credit card) 
  • Proof of income, for example, payslip or bank account statements
  • Health information
You, or who you share your personal information with, need to protect it to prevent these:
  • Phishing – criminals send emails claiming to come from a genuine company to try and trick you into disclosing personal information
  • ATM shoulder surfing – criminals can steal your debit card PIN while transacting at an ATM
  • Social engineering – criminals impersonate bank personnel and smooth talk you to share information, which gives the criminals access to bank accounts
  • Dumpster diving – criminals trawl through your waste bins for bank statements or policy documents  to commit crime
  • ID Theft – criminals can steal and assume your identity, buying goods in your name and leaving you in debt
Tips to avoid these risks
  • Avoid leaving your personal information lying around in a public place, for example, an airport, the Gautrain
  • First confirm the need before giving personal information to anyone
  • Carry only credit cards or membership cards you need
  • Before discarding invoices, statements or documents containing sensitive information, tear them up or burn them
  • Choose strong passwords: Include numbers, special characters, upper case and lower case
  • Change passwords and PINs often
  • When internet banking, check you’re on the legitimate website – don’t click on a link in an e-mail, but rather type in the web address and look for the secure lock
Fallen prey?
  • Document it: The day, time and location
  • Report it: Immediately to the police and the relevant financial institutes

Prevent fraud on your membership

  • Ask for a copy of the claim: This will enable you to make sure the service took place
  • Check your statements regularly: Make sure claims paid match the services you and your family received
  • Keep your details safe: Do not lend your membership card to anyone. If they’re not your beneficiary, they’re not entitled to benefits. 
  • Beware of ‘make a plan’: Do not accept any proposals offering to offset co-payments or levies on any service or item.