by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AS International Fraud Awareness Week aligns with the start of the festive shopping rush, Standard Bank is cautioning consumers to remain vigilant amid a sharp rise in online scams.
With Black Friday approaching, financial crime experts say fraudsters are intensifying efforts to exploit shoppers’ urgency, distraction, and appetite for deep discounts.
“During this peak shopping period, the threat multiplies as fraudsters prey on consumer excitement and rush,” says Adv. Athaly Khan, Standard Bank’s Head of Fraud Risk Management.
“International Fraud Awareness Week arrives at a critical moment, equipping the public with knowledge and encouraging a culture of vigilance.”
Standard Bank notes a spike in three major categories of fraud during the festive retail period: Card-Not-Present fraud, goods scams, and phishing or smishing attempts.
Criminals also continue to refine their tactics, making it essential for consumers to stay informed.
Cybercriminals frequently set up fake retail websites—often near-identical replicas of trusted brands—to harvest consumers’ card details, including card numbers, expiry dates and CVV codes.
Customers believe they are shopping on legitimate platforms, only for criminals to retrieve and misuse their information.
“Always verify website URLs and avoid clicking suspicious links,” advises Khan. She encourages Standard Bank customers to activate free in-app transaction alerts and report any irregular activity immediately.
“Fraudsters are getting smarter, but so can you. Pause before entering your card details. Type the URL manually and trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, exit the site.”
Black Friday’s reputation for deep discounts creates fertile ground for false advertisements and fraudulent online sellers.
Criminals lure shoppers with exceptionally low prices and pressure them to make quick payments on the promise of “limited offers.” Victims often discover that the goods never arrive or are substandard.
“If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,” warns Khan. “Research the seller. Avoid anyone pushing for instant bank transfers.”
She recommends verifying seller details—reviews, operating history, physical address and customer support contacts—and using trusted payment gateways such as PayFast, PayGate or Ozow, which provide buyer protections.
The bank notes a rise in phishing emails and smishing SMS messages disguised as Black Friday or Cyber Monday promotions.
These messages often contain malicious links or QR codes that, once opened or scanned, allow criminals to compromise devices and potentially access digital banking profiles later.
Khan urges consumers to stop and verify before clicking anything.
“Fraudsters thrive on urgency. Ask: Was I expecting this message? Is the sender legitimate? Hover over links to preview the URL and look out for unusual characters or domains that do not match the official website.”
Standard Bank further promotes the use of virtual cards, which offer enhanced security features and provide 100% fraud protection for online purchases.
Consumers can follow real-time safety updates on Standard Bank’s social media channels under the #BeatTheScam campaign or visit standardbank.co.za/securitycentre for detailed guidance on emerging threats.
“Knowledge is the best defence,” Khan concludes. “With heightened awareness and simple security habits, consumers can shop confidently and safely this festive season.”
– CAJ News