Eidul Azha is a moment of celebration. But while we are preparing for the festivities, fraudsters are busy preparing their own plans. False charitable calls and online livestock advertisements with phishing emails and deceived text messages, crooks become smarter, and this holiday season is the perfect time for them to make you add another sacrifice in the mixture – your hard -won money.
Even if financial institutions and merchants are trying to intensify their digital fraud controls, staying safe finally starts with you. It is not uncommon for people to receive false calls or messages during Eid, often asking for personal details or money transfers under the pretext of helping a cause. These scams are designed to exploit your good will when you are most likely to give.
So when you scroll on online stores or plan to donate, take a moment to check. Avoid clicking on suspect links, do not share your bank details and always check the authenticity of a campaign or a seller. After all, while Eidul Azha celebrates the sacrifice, we must not sacrifice our security to the scams.
Growing online fraud tide
While EID purchases become digital, crooks are ready to jump with false websites, phishing emails and “too beautiful to be true”. Phishing attacks targeting retail brands increased by 2,000% during advanced purchasing seasons, making alertness more crucial than ever. The Stay Secure Visa study shows that if most consumers in Pakistan adopt digital payments and take measures to protect themselves, the constantly evolving tactics of fraudsters mean remaining intelligent.
Locate Eid’s scams
The fraudsters want your codes: many banking and financial applications require a single access code to check your identity. The crooks often claim to be of your bank or the government, requesting a code to verify a transaction or update the security parameters. Once they have obtained it, they have access to accounts, putting both money and personal data in danger.
False applications and websites: be careful of applications or usurped websites designed to steal your personal information. The fraudsters even create false applications on the theme of the holidays which contain malware to infect your devices and secretly collect the payment data and the connection of identification information.
Gift cards and false charity scams: crooks love to play on your emotions, especially during Eid. They can send emails or messages asking for donations from false charities. Some even require payments via gift cards or cryptocurrencies-talk about making your money more difficult. Stay according to the charity websites verified and avoid any request for payment of gift cards. After all, your generosity should go to those who really need it, not in the bag of the crook.
Delivery asccammes: with an increase in online purchases, false delivery alerts requiring problems or customs fees are common. These messages contain phishing links or sensitive information requests, often usurging the identity of logistics or government services.
Consumers become smarter
Although fraudsters often benefit from distractions of the holiday season, the good news is that people become wiser against online scams. The next annual Visa stay study shows that the Pakistanis become notified to protect themselves.
People take measures such as not responding to requests for money transfers in the name of someone else (52%), not sharing the details of the card or account (48%), and retaining close surveillance on bank statements for any suspicious activity (52%). This cautious approach occurs while more and more people are turning to digital payments, using banking transfers (63%), credit or debit cards (48%) and mobile payments (34%).
Even if most people trust digital payments (82%), this trust can quickly disappear if they experience fraud or concerns about confidentiality and data security. The study reveals that a huge 93% of people fear that their friends or family will be victims of scams.
Buy smart, stay safe
Check the URLs on the website: Always check the website address to make sure you are on the official retailer or the bank website. Look for “https” in the url.
Beware of unrealistic offers: be careful of agreements that seem too beautiful to be true, because they can be scams. RS999 for 10 kg of premium qurbani meat delivered to your door? It is not a matter – it is a red flag. Always check the source before clicking on “Order now”.
Activate purchase alerts: Activate your bank’s real time alerts. If unknown costs appear – whether for Qurbani, purchases or donations – you can report them immediately.
Protect your accounts: If you receive a call or message requesting your OTP, do not answer. Legitimate services will never ask for it. Always be careful, especially during transactions occupied by Eid.
Beware of suspect emails and calls: if you receive a call or message requesting payment details or personal information, check. Recall the company using a verified number from its information on the website or the company – not the crook gave you.
Pakistan is on an exciting growth trip, technology transforming the way people live, work and connect. As digital payments become second nature, it is encouraging to see consumers become smarter to stay safe online. However, with crooks who always offer new tips, it is important to stay ahead. Financial institutions and merchants must continue to improve safety and help users understand how to protect themselves. By working together, we can make the digital world safer, keep confidence strong and protect the transactions that connect us all. This EID, not only celebrate the act of giving, but master the art of thwarting the crooks.
The writer is Visa’s country director for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
