In today’s increasingly digital economy, scammers are always on the lookout for ways to separate people from their hard-earned money. According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa loses R2.2 billion annually to cybercrime, while the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service reported a 32% increase in fraud incidents in 2024. When using digital platforms, it’s important to stay vigilant and protect yourself from cybercriminals looking to take advantage.
“At FlySafair we’ve invested a great deal of time and resources into building a safe online platform for passengers to search, book and manage their flights,” says Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer. “However, we always want our customers to be vigilant during times of high demand like popular holiday periods and sales when scammers may take advantage and promote fake deals.”
Here are some of the scams that are unfortunately prevalent, their telltale signs and how you can protect yourself from making a costly mistake.
Fake flight deals on Facebook
One of the most popular scams on social media is cybercriminals impersonating airlines and other travel brands to exploit unsuspecting victims for profit. Cybercriminals will create fake Facebook pages using an airline’s branding and offer customers flight deals that not only prey on people’s wallets but entice them to hand over personal information.
“We recently saw fake posts claiming to be FlySafair selling six months’ worth of unlimited flights for R56,” says Gordon. “It’s next to impossible to stop these impersonators and while we do our best to report these posts when we see them, we encourage our customers to always double-check the account that is posting these deals.”
If you’re unsure about whether FlySafair is running a sale or competition, you can visit the airline’s official social media pages. FlySafair’s Facebook handle is @FlySafair, on Instagram it’s @flysafairza and on X it’s @FlySafair. Look for the verified blue check mark next to the airline’s name on Facebook and X to confirm authenticity.
Beware of suspicious messages
Your booking reference or passenger name record (PNR) is crucial for making changes to a reservation, checking your flight details and cancelling a booking. If a scammer gets their hands on this information, they can make changes to your booking and in some cases rebook your flight for themselves. Be wary of any messages, emails or SMSes that ask for your booking reference or PNR.
“We will never request your PNR unless you have engaged with our customer service personnel, used the official FlySafair website or messaged our WhatsApp channel,” says Gordon. “Unexpected messages from unknown numbers or email addresses should be treated with caution.”
Remember, the official FlySafair WhatsApp number is 087 357 0030 and has an official blue check mark next to the airline’s name.
Check before you click
When clicking on a link in an email, WhatsApp or social media post, double-check the link and who the message came from. Scammers will often pose as a brand to get people to click on a malicious link or phishing website. These fraudulent websites can often look a lot like a brand’s website but are a means to get you to hand over personal information like credit card details.
Before handing over any information or performing a financial transaction, it’s important to verify that you are using the correct website. FlySafair’s website is secure and encrypted, so be sure that the site address reads: flysafair.co.za.
Job scams targeting applicants
“We’ve sadly noticed that job seekers have fallen victim to job scams where they are asked for money to process an application or perform background checks,” says Gordon. “FlySafair will never ask an applicant for money or personal financial details during the job application process.”
If you’re looking for a job with FlySafair or any other major company, always use the company’s official channels. Check for job listings on FlySafair’s website and verified LinkedIn page to avoid misleading job posts.
Cybercriminals will unfortunately find new and creative ways to deceive unsuspecting consumers, but by staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself from falling victim to online fraud. Always verify the legitimacy of competitions, sales, job offers and requests for personal information.
“If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts,” says Gordon. “FlySafair remains committed to providing a safe and secure online booking experience for all our passengers. So if you’re ever in doubt, check our official website or social media pages for confirmation.”