Wednesday, 21 October 2026 💡 Good Habit

Phone & SMS Scams: A Safety Reminder

A few good habits worth keeping close by when it comes to phone & sms scams.

Why this matters

Phone and SMS scams are one of the most common ways older South Africans lose money — a single convincing call, made to sound urgent or official, can lead to money being sent before there's time to stop and check.

How to do it

Before you act on any call or SMS, hang up (or don't reply) and contact the organisation yourself, using a number you already know is correct — from your bank card, a bill, or their official website — never a number the caller gave you.

Quick recap

• Banks will never ask for your PIN or password over the phone. If someone calls claiming to be your bank, hang up and call the number printed on your card.
• "You've won a prize — just pay a small fee first" is always a scam. Real prizes never ask you to pay anything upfront.
• If a call says a family member is in trouble and needs money urgently, hang up and call that family member directly yourself before doing anything.

Source: OAC Cyber Safety Brief — Tips & Tricks