Chinese New Year is a time for joy, connection, and celebration. However, it’s also a time when online scams and fraud tend to spike. Visa, a world leader in digital payments, is sharing key tips and insights to help Thai consumers protect themselves while embracing the convenience of digital transactions during this festive season.
According to Visa’s findings, the most six common scams to watch out for during the festive period include:
- Shop for goodies at merchants you trust: Time for new clothes, decorations, and of course delicious Lunar New Year snacks! To be safe, make sure you know who you are buying from. Consult friends and family, read reviews, and check URLs of where you are shopping to keep your credentials and money safe.
- Slide away from suspicious messages: Plenty of well-wishes and promotional messages will be sliding into our inboxes. Received a dubious message asking you for money or to fill up a form to win a prize? Ignore and delete them to avoid falling victim to phishing.
- Sending that e-hongbao? Check before you hit send. Every Lunar New Year brings a flurry of hongbaos, to and from loved ones. Triple-check your recipients before you hit send.
- Slink away from suspicious deliveries and add-on fees: Eagerly waiting for your Lunar New Year shopping to arrive? While you wait, you may receive fraudulent messages asking you to fill up a form or pay for “express shipping”. Verify with your merchant before responding to any requests.
- Verify travel deals before you slip away for the New Year: Be it a short getaway or a trip back home, make sure your journey is a safe one. Check that you are booking trips on official travel agency and airline websites. It helps to pay via secure gateways like Visa that can track expenses and protect you from fraud.
- Secure your belongings everywhere you go: Many of us will be out and about during the New Year holiday. Keep your belongings, cards, and mobile phones close in public. Should you lose your cards or any credentials, disable them via your banking apps.
Let’s celebrate the Year of the Snake with secure and seamless payment experiences. Stay vigilant, shop smart, and protect your prosperity.
