The Easter school holidays signal an anticipated break for many families, parents breathe out after a long first term, they book getaways and everyone looks for a good deal. Fraudsters know this. And they plan for it just as carefully as you do.
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Truecaller data shows that 68% of South Africans reported attempted scams during the recent festive season, the highest rate in five years. Considering that local consumers have lost an estimated R2 billion to online scams over the past year, people cannot afford to let their guard down over the upcoming Easter holiday.
This warning comes from Audrey Roberts, Customer Operations Executive at RCS, who says holiday periods are prime hunting ground for fraudsters. “When people are planning trips, spending more time on social media, or simply relaxing with family, criminals know their vigilance may be slightly lower, which is why holiday periods typically come with a sharp rise in scams.”
Roberts and the team at RCS have identified six fraud types that South Africans need to watch out for over the school holidays.
1. That dream getaway might not exist
One of the most common traps involves fake travel and accommodation offers. Fraudsters create convincing listings for holiday accommodation or promote discounted airline and bus tickets through social media and WhatsApp. “These offers often require an upfront deposit to secure a booking,” Roberts explains. “Once the payment is made, the listing disappears or the contact person becomes unreachable, leaving families without accommodation or transport.”
Fraudulent car hire websites and fake activity bookings are also circulating, often mimicking legitimate operators. “Before paying any deposit, verify the business independently by checking reviews or contacting the company directly,” she says.
2. Those Easter ‘specials’ could cost you more than you think
Roberts notes that everyone is looking for a way to save over the holidays but warns of the overly alluring competitions and giveaways offering Easter hampers or vouchers that are circulating on social media.
“These competitions and giveaways are designed to harvest personal information,” she explains. “Consumers may also be asked to submit banking details or pay a small ‘delivery fee’ to claim a prize that doesn’t exist.”
Parents preparing for the new school term are also being targeted through fake online stores advertising heavily discounted school shoes, uniforms, and stationery. These stores accept payment and deliver nothing or deliver poor quality goods. Look for a physical address, verifiable contact details, and a returns policy before you buy.
Phishing messages disguised as Easter promotions from well-known retailers are arriving via SMS, email, and WhatsApp. They look real. They contain links to near-identical copies of legitimate websites designed to steal your login and card details.
Also see: How to identify and steer clear of online scams
3. Watch your card at every point of sale
Fraud risks are not limited to the digital world, with Roberts warning that card fraud at physical points of sale also increases during busy travel periods.
“Consumers frequently use ATMs, petrol stations and restaurant card machines in unfamiliar places during holidays, which unfortunately creates opportunities for card skimming or other forms of card compromise,” she explains. “Keep your card within sight during a transaction and shield the keypad when entering your PIN.”
Shoulder-surfing, where someone watches you enter your PIN in a busy queue at a shopping centre or petrol station, remains a simple and effective method. Do not accept help from strangers at an ATM.
Tap-and-go (contactless) transactions are convenient but they require vigilance too. Transaction notifications from your bank are your early-warning system. Switch them on if you have not already done so and review them as they arrive.
4. Your children are online. So are the scammers
With children spending more time online during the school break, families should also be mindful of scams targeting younger users. “Fraudsters often use gaming platforms, social media challenges or influencer-style giveaways to encourage children to click links or share information,” Roberts says.
She encourages parents to have an honest, age-appropriate conversation with their children about online safety before the holidays begin. “Check which apps and platforms your children are using, set appropriate spending limits on devices, and make it clear that they should come to you before clicking anything that asks for information or money. A simple conversation about not sharing personal or financial information online can go a long way in protecting your family.”
5. SIM swap fraud is busier over holidays than you might expect
Holiday periods are a favoured time for SIM swap fraud. Fraudsters contact a mobile network, impersonating the account holder, and request that the number be transferred to a new SIM card in their possession. Once they control your number, they can intercept OTPs sent by your bank and access your accounts.
“SIM swap fraud can drain an account in minutes. If your phone suddenly loses signal for no obvious reason, contact your mobile network immediately. Do not assume it is a technical glitch,” Roberts says.
6. Be extra sceptical on your phone
There has also been a rise in scams where customers receive SMS messages asking them to confirm whether a specific purchase on their account is legitimate. The message instructs the recipient to call a number if the transaction is not recognised.
“When customers call the number provided, they are told they will receive a one-time pin (OTP) which they must read out to ‘reverse’ the transaction,” Roberts explains. “In reality, the fraudster uses that code to authorise a fraudulent purchase.”
Roberts stresses that legitimate financial institutions will never ask customers to share OTPs, PINs or account passwords over the phone. If contact is made that seems at all suspicious, her advice echoes the South African Fraud Prevention Service’s consumer awareness campaign encouraging people to end suspicious conversations immediately.
“Fraudsters rely on keeping you engaged long enough to create panic or urgency,” Roberts says. “If something feels rushed or simply doesn’t make total sense, the safest response is to end the conversation as quickly as possible and verify the situation through official channels,” she concludes.
Also see: Lerato Mvelase opens up about being scammed by travel agency
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