Crafty calls

Fraudsters often pretend to work for the bank.

  • They will ask you for your Online Banking or card details to reverse a transaction or debit order.
  • Offer to help you protect your money by changing your username and password to one that they give you.
  • Ask you to move your money to a secure account as your account has been compromised.
Lady checking Money app on her mobile device

Phishing for personal information

Fraudsters will try to fool you with emails that look like they come from the bank. They will:

  • Ask you to download remote access software so that they can help you with a fraudulent transaction. 
  • Ask you to click on a link or attachment to view a bank statement or proof of payment.

  • Tell you that your account has been hacked and you need to log in.

  • Say that you must update your account or install new software to protect yourself.

  • Pretend to be another company, eg a courier company, and ask you for your banking details so that they can deliver a package to you. 

'Free' voucher scam

Fraudsters pretend to be cellphone or retail store employees and offer you 'free' airtime or shopping vouchers. To 'load' the voucher, they will ask you for your personal information like your ID number and to take a selfie of you. They will ask you to hand over your cellphone, accept the Approve-it message for the enrolment of the Money app on their cellphone without you knowing, and steal your money from your account.

Holiday scams

Adverts for holiday or rental accommodation where you need to pay an upfront fee, but the property does not exist, has been rented out to someone else or to several people at the same time.

Lady checking Money app on her mobile device

How to keep safe

 
  • Never share your Nedbank ID username and password or card PIN over the phone or enter it on a webpage you accessed through a link in an email or SMS. Nedbank will never ask you for these details. 

  • Never change your Nedbank ID username and password to a username and password that someone gave to you over the phone. Fraudsters will access your account if they know your Nedbank ID username and password. 

  • Never move your funds into an account that someone says they have opened on your behalf because your account has been compromised. 

  • Read your banking notifications carefully. If you receive an SMS, one-time PIN (OTP)  or an Approve-it message for a transaction you didn’t make, reject it and notify us immediately on 0800 110 929. Never disclose your OTP to anyone. 

  • Don’t be pressured into disclosing your personal information (card PIN, Nedbank ID username and password). If you're unsure, rather call us to confirm the request. Nedbank will never ask you to accept an Approve-It message or share an OTP to reverse a fraudulent transaction or debit order. 

Stay cautious, remain vigilant

  • If your mobile device is lost or stolen, notify Nedbank immediately and if you have the Money app, have it deactivated and have any tokens for any digital wallets removed. 

  • If you get an SMS for a SIM swap you didn't request or lose cellphone connectivity for a long time without reason, call your service provider and let us know immediately. 

  • Don’t be tricked by fake promotions. Always check with the store to ensure that they are running a competition or promotion. 

  • Never pay fees upfront unless you know the supplier is a reputable one. 

  • Don’t let a stranger take a selfie of you and don’t hand your cellphone to a stranger.

     

Lady checking Money app on her mobile device

Tips for shopping online

  • Be careful of offers that sound too good to be true. Avoid clicking on links in messages – rather type in a web address.
  • Be careful of new or unknown online retailers, especially if they offer goods at unrealistic discounts. If you are making a first-time purchase, research and check online reviews.
  • Never share your card PIN, expiry date and CVC (the 3- or 4-digit security number on the front or back of your card) over the phone or enter them on a webpage you accessed via a link in an email or SMS.

 

Practise internet safety

  • Avoid entering your card information on unknown online retailers' websites or websites that offer unrealistically low-priced products and have T&Cs that automatically enrol you in subscriptions or long-term monthly payments. Take the time to read the T&Cs and do some research and check online reviews. 

  • Don’t access websites by clicking on links in social media adverts, emails or SMSs – rather type in the web address. 

  • Avoid doing online shopping over public Wi-Fi or unsecured networks as fraudsters may be able to hack them. 

What to do if you become a victim of fraud

  • Call us immediately on 0800 110 929 (add this number to your list of contacts) if you suspect that your banking details have been compromised or that you have been a victim of a fraud scam. 

  • If your mobile device is lost or stolen and you have the Money app, have it deactivated and have any tokens for any digital wallets linked to your card like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay or Garmin Pay removed.

  • Report a fraudulent SIM swap/number port and contact your service provider to block the SIM card. 

 

 

worried

Stay updated

Keep an eye on our fraud awareness page for the latest in banking safety.

Nedbank fraud hotline

0800 110 929