This festive season, scamsters are busier than ever. From fake travel deals to holiday shopping traps, the pressure to click quickly can make anyone vulnerable.

In this episode of Everything Counts, Motheo Khoaripe sits down with fraud expert Kevin Hogan and cybersecurity specialist Nomalizo Hlazo to unpack the most common holiday scams and how to stay protected when excitement meets urgency.

The episode covers why holiday scams are so effective, tools to identify scams and the red flags you should be on the lookout for. Remember that holiday scams aren’t always about getting you to make a purchase; they can often be phishing scams to get your details.

Stay safe this festive season!

00:00 Introduction

01:50 Why is the holiday season a big one for scamsters?

02:50 Why are people less wary around the festive season?

03:50 Common holiday scams in South Africa

05:00 Red flags that may signal a holiday scam

08:00 Can consumers avoid holiday scams by using proper channels?

09:00 Tools to identify scams

11:00 Debunking myths about holiday scams

12:00 Payment-related red flags to look out for

15:20 Holiday scams can be phishing scams

17:00 How to protect yourself from scams: Virtual Cards vs Instant EFT

20:00 Digital hygiene to avoid holiday scams

23:30 Advice for avoiding holiday scams

25:30 Conclusion Investec Focus Radio SA