One of South Africa’s leading retailers, Woolworths, recently warned customers about an online survey that is circulating on social-media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp that is not authorised by the retailer.
This is what it says: ‘Woolworths is expanding in Johannesburg. Therefore we need your feedback. Answer four simple questions to qualify for one of R6 500 Woolworths vouchers.’
According to Woolworths, it is looking into the origin of these posts. If you receive this post, do not fill in any personal information.
‘Woolworths Financial Services will never request your ID number or personal details via WhatsApp or Gmail for any credit application or surveys. E-mails or SMSs requesting your details via these channels are scams and should be deleted. If you have any questions regarding your existing loan account, call us on 0861 502 020,’ the retailer stated in a recent press release.
Here are 5 handy tips to help you avoid Internet hacks
1. Be weary of the websites that you visit: These days any website can seem legitimate. Make sure that the website is trustworthy before giving away your personal information.
2. Don’t ever reply to an e-mail from the bank asking you for your personal and financial information: Banks will very seldom request your information via e-mail because they should already have your details.
3. Choose complicated passwords: Try compiling passwords with an array of different symbols, letters and numbers. If you forget passwords easily (like most of us do!) write down your passwords and store them in a place where only you know where to look for them.
4. Keep your anti-virus software updated: If you get a notification saying your software is out of date, update it as soon as you can. Better safe than sorry!
5. Don’t accept requests on social media from people you don’t know: If you can’t find any friends in common or cannot verify that the person is not a hacker, remove that friend request.
PHOTO: iStock/mediaphotos
ALSO READ:
This is how you delete yourself from the Internet
6 easy ways to protect your online privacy
5 tips to keep you from being scammed
The post WARNING: Don’t fall victim to this fake Woolworths survey appeared first on Good Housekeeping.
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