Scam-smart and Eid ready

#Scamsmart #Eid #ready

Eidol is a time to celebrate. But when we prepare for festivals, fraudsters are busy preparing their schemes. From fake charity appeals and online cattle advertisements to phishing emails and fraudulent text messages, scammers are becoming more smart, and this holiday season is the best time for them to get another sacrifice to this compound.

Although financial institutions and traders are working to enhance their digital fraud control, staying safe eventually starts with you. It is not uncommon for people to receive fake calls or messages during Eid, often requested for personal details or money transfer in the guise of helping a purpose. These scams are created to exploit your goodwill when you are most likely to give you.

So, when you scroll through online shops or consider donating, take a moment to check double. Avoid clicking on suspicious links, do not share your banking details, and always confirm the authenticity of any campaign or seller. However, when Eid -ul -Fitr is celebrating the sacrifice, we should not sacrifice our security for scams.

The growing tide of online fraud

Since Eid shopping is digital, scammers are ready to bounce with fake websites, phishing emails, and ‘very good to be true’ deals. Fishing attacks targeting retail brands increased by 2,000 percent during the purchase seasons, which is more important than ever. A safe study of visa setting shows that while most consumers in Pakistan are adopting digital payments and are taking steps to protect themselves, but the ever -developing tactics of fraudsters mean to be careful.

Eid scams to spot

Cheating You want your code: Many banking and financial apps require a timely pass code to confirm your identity. Scammers often pretend to be from your bank or the government, and seek AD code to confirm the security settings. Once they get it, they gain access to accounts, which puts both money and personal data at risk.

Fake apps and websites: Be careful with spoiled apps or websites designed to steal your personal information. Even fraudsters make fake holiday vacanic apps that have malware to impress your devices and collect payment data secretly.

Gift cards and fake charity scams: Scammers love to play on your emotions, especially during Eid. They can send emails or messages to ask for donations for fake relief reasons. Even some ask for payments through gift cards or cryptocurrency – talk about making it difficult to return your money. Stay on the certified charity websites and be clean from any requests for gift card payment. Nevertheless, your generosity should have people who really need it, not some scammer pocket.

Delivery scam: With the increase in online shopping, cases or customs fee claiming fake delivery warnings are common. These messages include requests for phishing links or sensitive information, which often imitate logistics companies or government services.

Consumers are getting better

Although fraudsters often take advantage of the holiday season, the good news is that people are becoming wise against online scams. Annual visit to the visa annual reserved study shows that Pakistanis are becoming a boyfriend about their safety.

People are taking steps not to respond to someone else’s money transfer requests, not share card or account details (48 %), and keep a keen eye on bank statements for any suspicious activity (52 %). This cautious approach is happening when more and more people turn to digital payments using bank transfer (63 %), credit or debit card (48 %) and mobile payment (34 %).

Although most people rely on digital payments (82 %), if this trust can end faster if they face fraud or worry about data privacy and security. This study has revealed that 93 % of people are concerned that their friends or family may suffer scams.

Smart shopping, be safe

Confirm the website URL: Always double check the website addresses to make sure you are on the official retailer or bank site. Find ‘https’ in the URL.

Beware of non -realistic deals: Be careful with the deals that prove to be true, as they can be scams. 10kg Premium Sacrifice was delivered to your door for meat? This is not a contract – this is a red flag. Always check the source before clicking on ‘Order’.

Enable purchase warnings: Activate real time alerts from your bank. If any unfamiliar allegations appear – whether for sacrifice, shopping or donations – you will be able to report them immediately.

Protect your accounts: If you receive a call or message that you ask for OTP, don’t answer. Legitimate services will never ask for it. Always be careful, especially during the busy Eid transactions.

Beware of suspicious emails and calls: If you receive a call or message when you seek payment details or personal information, double check. Call the company back using your website or company information number – the scammer didn’t give you.

Pakistan is on an interesting journey of development, in which technology changes the way people live, work and connect. Since the digital payment takes the position of another nature, it encourages to see that consumers get better about being safe online. Nevertheless, scammers always come with new tricks, it is important to stay ahead. Financial institutions and traders need to improve security and help consumers understand how to protect themselves. By working together, we can make the digital world safe, maintain confidence firmly, and protect the transactions that we all connect. This Eid, let’s not only celebrate the process of giving, but also specializes in out -muming art.

Author is a visa country’s country manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan.