First actions
Do these before you need them
These controls reduce the impact of the most common consumer attacks.
Lock down email first
Your email resets almost every other account. Use a strong password, turn on MFA and review recovery numbers.
Protect banking channels
Enable transaction alerts, confirm beneficiary changes and contact your bank from its official app or card number.
Update phones and routers
Install updates, use screen locks and change the default Wi-Fi router admin password.
Save evidence
Keep screenshots, SMSes, account numbers, payment references and call logs before deleting scam messages.
Sample guidance
Common home risks
Spot payment and refund scams
Be wary of urgent WhatsApp requests, marketplace courier fees, fake SARS refunds and links that ask for card PINs or app approvals.
Respond to a data breach
Change reused passwords, watch for new credit enquiries and treat follow-up calls as suspicious, even if the caller knows private details.
Secure children's accounts
Use child profiles, limit app purchases, review privacy settings and keep school platform passwords separate from gaming accounts.
Harden home Wi-Fi
Use WPA2 or WPA3, rename the network, disable WPS where possible and keep visitors on a guest network.
Checklist
Monthly household check
- Review banking alerts and remove old beneficiaries you no longer use.
- Check that your mobile number and email recovery options still belong to you.
- Update phones, laptops, smart TVs and router firmware.
- Back up important photos, IDs and documents to a second location.
- Talk through one recent scam message with the household.