Your Family - April 2017

APRIL 2017 33

Avoiding fraud is becoming

increasingly important as online and

identity fraudsters up their game at

a rate that seems to keep pace with

technology. The South African Fraud

Prevention Service (SAFPS) shares

these tips to stay one step ahead:

1

Shred documents containing

personal information, or any

information that someone

could use to impersonate you

or transact on your behalf

(applying for store cards and

loans, for example).

2

Use different passwords for all

your accounts. Never use a public

computer to access your bank

account online.

3

Never respond to emails or

SMSs asking you to update your

personal information.

4

Carry only certified copies

of your ID or passport in your

handbag; leave the originals

in a safe place at home.

5

Do an annual check of your
credit profile. Most providers
registered with the Credit
Bureau Association will offer
you one free check each year,
in accordance with the
National Credit Act. Try one
of the following:
Creditbureau.co.za
Experian.co.za
Mytransunion.co.za
If you suspect you’ve been a victim
of identity fraud, call the SAFPS
COMPILED BY BELINDA BURNS PHOTOS: FOTOLIA.COMhelpline on 0860 101 248.

BAD HABIT HOW TO FIX IT

Impulsive and

unnecessary spending

Track your spending over the next 30 days by

recording every rand you spend. You’ll soon see where

to cut back and how you can really make a difference

to your finances. A daily coffee can set you back R450

a month. Add a sandwich and that’s almost R1 000

a month, or R12 000 a year.

Thinking you have

nothing nice to wear

Look through your wardrobe and pick out all the items

you’d wear if they just fitted you differently. Maybe

those trousers that gape at the waist or the button-up

shirt that’s a little too long. Take them along to a tailor

and have them measure you for alterations. You’ll look

great in them, and have so many more choices. Turn

good quality but unwanted clothes into cash by selling

them. Use the money to reduce store card or credit

card debt.

Buying without thinking Ever get home from the shops with a bargain you

couldn’t resist, only to realise you have something quite

similar at home? If you spot something you like, delay

the purchase for 30 days. It’ll still be there, but you might

have changed your mind, found something cheaper, or

even realised you didn’t need it in the first place.

Shopping to fill a need Some women shop because they’re bored. Some shop

to get over a break-up or simply out of habit. There’s

a reason it’s called retail therapy, after all. Shopping

gives such a temporary high, only matched by the

low you feel the week before payday. Think about the

purpose of your trip and you may find you have no

real reason to be at the shops at all. You can’t shop

your way to happiness.

Falling for online

discounts

If you subscribe to any retail newsletters, you’ll notice

there’s always something on special, some limited

offer that looks too good to pass up. If you’re tempted

by these, unsubscribe.

Not decluttering

often enough

Every item you donate was probably once a purchase

you couldn’t resist. When you’re flush with cash it

can seem completely rational to think you can never

have too many photo frames, candles, notebooks or

t-shirts. And if you never have a clear out, you’ll keep

buying them. Declutter the congested areas of your

home every six months.

CAN’T STOP SPENDING?

How to change some of the most common bad money habits:

FROM FRAUD

PROTECTING

YOURSELF

TIP

Once you’ve paid your monthly expenses, take the figure

that’s left over and mentally divide it by four to come to

a weekly budget. Each Friday, draw the weekly amount

in cash. Resist the urge to use your cards over and above.

Paying in cash is the easiest way to curb impulse spending.