Crooks target online buyers
[caption id="attachment_35188" align="alignright" width="405"] THE BAIT: A screen grab shows a Ford Territory that was on the OLX site as part of a suspected fraud – but prompt action by the prospective buyer and police halted the transaction[/caption]
PORT Elizabeth police are investigating more than 100 cases of fraud linked to various scams on popular online purchasing sites OLX and Gumtree.
The crimes include identity theft, deposit scams and fraudulent bank accounts opened by scam artists.
Police are still uncertain if all the cases are linked to a specific group.
In one case, suspicions were raised after instructions were issued to an online buyer to deposit money into a number of different bank accounts.
An investigation revealed the funds were being withdrawn from the accounts just minutes after being deposited.
In another scam, Jack Bellardi – who owns a vehicle repair workshop in Port Elizabeth – was conned out of R10000 on OLX while attempting to buy a lathe. - Gareth Wilson
| For the full story read The Herald, or get the complete newspaper, including comics, classifieds, crosswords and back editions in our |
TIPS from the SA Fraud Prevention Service on how to safeguard your identity:
- Shred all unwanted documents containing personal or financial information. Criminals sift through rubbish for this information.
- Store personal documents, such as ID book, passport, and bank statements in a safe place.
- Be wary of e-mails or cellphone messages informing you that you have won a prize or inherited money.
- Never provide personal information over the phone unless you initiated the request specifically or you know the person to whom you are speaking.
- Do not respond to e-mails that provide you with a website link and ask you to log in to update your personal information.
- Restrict the information you share on social networking sites and activate the privacy settings.
- Do not use public internet cafe-type facilities to carry out financial transactions online.
- Request a credit report from a selected bureau at least once a year and carefully check the inquiries that have been made to ensure that no unknown accounts have been opened.
- Change your passwords regularly and guard your passwords and PIN numbers.
