Security and fraud awareness - protect yourself

Protect your personal information and prevent fraud

What's personal information?

Any piece of information that - on its own or collectively - can uniquely identify you:

• Name and surname
• Identity/Passport number
• Cellphone number
• Bank account number, for example, cheque account
• Credit card number and CVV (the three digits on the back of your credit card)
• Proof of income, for example, payslip or bank account statements
• Health information

You, or who you share your personal information with, need to protect it to prevent these:

• Phishing - criminals send emails claiming to come from a genuine company to try and trick you into disclosing personal information
• ATM shoulder surfing - criminals can steal your debit card PIN while transacting at an ATM
• Social engineering - criminals impersonate bank personnel and smooth talk you to share information, which gives the criminals access to bank accounts
• Dumpster diving - criminals trawl through your waste bins for bank statements or policy documents to commit crime
• ID Theft - criminals can steal and assume your identity, buying goods in your name and leaving you in debt

Tips to avoid these risks

• Avoid leaving your personal information lying around in a public place, for example, an airport, the Gautrain
• First confirm the need before giving personal information to anyone
• Carry only credit cards or membership cards you need
• Before discarding invoices, statements or documents containing sensitive information, tear them up or burn them
• Choose strong passwords: Include numbers, special characters, upper case and lower case
• Change passwords and PINs often
• When internet banking, check you're on the legitimate website - don't click on a link in an e-mail, but rather type in the web address and look for the secure lock

Fallen prey?

• Document it: The day, time and location
• Report it: Immediately to the police and the relevant financial institutes

Rewards for reporting fraud

Reporting fraud to your Scheme

If you even slightly suspect someone of committing fraud, report all information to the Discovery fraud hotline. You may remain anonymous if you prefer:

Toll-free phone: 0800 00 45 00
International number: +27 31 308 4795
SMS: 33490
WhatsApp ChatBot: +27 31 308 4664
Email: discoveryforensics@whistleblowing.co.za
Website reporting: www.whistleblowing.co.za

Or email our fraud department directly to investigate the matter.

Prevent fraud on your membership

• Ask for a copy of the claim: This will enable you to make sure the service took place
• Check your statements regularly: Make sure claims paid match the services you and your family received
• Keep your details safe: Do not lend your membership card to anyone. If they're not your beneficiary, they're not entitled to benefits.
• Beware of 'make a plan': Do not accept any proposals offering to offset co-payments or levies on any service or item.