'Just like we utilise AI, scammers are utilising it' - are you up-to-date on protecting yourself?
702's John Perlman chats to Elmi Kemp, Communications Lead at the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS).
"I said, this is your fifth attempt to get me to part with crucial information, to which the guy replied 'ok send me R500 and we'll get your number scrapped from the list', which of course just confirmed that these people were not my cell phone provider!"
That's John Perlman recalling a recent scam attempt on the phone, but unfortunately this is just one example of the less sophisticated ways fraudsters try to get your personal info in order to get their hands on your hard-earned cash.
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Elmi Kemp from the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) points out that all the advantages artificial intelligence (AI) is giving us and our organisations, it is also giving to the scammers as well.
"The same way we utilise AI, they are utilising it. It is in fact making life a lot more difficult for us and a lot easier for them in terms of how they show up and how realistic their scam attempts now look... the language they use, deepfake, all of those things are absolutely relevant."
Elmi Kemp, Communications Lead - Southern African Fraud Prevention Service
"That is why we caution the public to always be extremely vigilant. Don't speak to people if you dont need to speak to them, don't answer calls from funny numbers because you never know what they're trying to use against you."
Elmi Kemp, Communications Lead - Southern African Fraud Prevention Service
Something else to be extremely wary of is sharing your information online and in public spaces.
The most effective layer of defense is educating yourself and taking the necessary precautionary steps, Kemp says.
TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:
- Do not share your personal, banking or credit card information with people you don't know or trust, and never give them access to your computer.
- Check your bank and credit card statements every month for suspicious activity.
- Before you throw out personal documents, destroy them first by either shredding or ripping them up.
- Beware of entering competitions online where you must provide personal information.
- Activate privacy settings on social media sites and be careful what you post online, as information can be easily stored and archived, even if you delete it.
- Never share your PIN codes used for banking or your devices.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation