First printed in Consumer News Namibia magazine - Jan 2013 edition
At the beginning of every year it is common practice to make
New Year’s resolutions. This is a commitment you make to one or more personal
goals or objectives, or changing of a bad habit. When a person makes a New
Year’s resolution they generally plan to do so for the whole of the year. It is
generally accepted that these resolutions will make your life better if you
follow them.
Consumer News Magazine offers the following ten resolutions
to help you avoid becoming the victim of scams, prevent identity theft and save
money in 2013.
1. 1.
Do your research. When making large purchases
such as furniture, a car or a house, do some investigation on what various
retailers and banks have to offer. It is also a good idea to get quotations
from various businesses to be able to compare prices. When buying on credit you
should shop around for the cheapest interest rate and beware of hidden costs
such as insurance on furniture that you might already have covered under another
policy.
2.
Keep your computer and mobile phone safe. Many
Namibians are now using online banking as well as the mobile banking offers and
should thus take extra care of these items. It is also important to keep your
pin codes and account details in a safe place and not together with your phone
or computer.
3.
Protect your identity. Tear up documents that
might contain sensitive financial information and store all your personal
documents such as Identity Document, Passport, Drivers Licence, etc. in a safe
place. In addition, check your bank account regularly for payments you might
not be aware of.
4.
Get everything in writing. Make sure that when
you get a service from a company they put their offer in writing. This will
prevent misunderstandings, and protect you if something should go wrong in the
transaction.
5.
Don’t share everything on Facebook or Twitter
(or other social media). A future employer or possible soul mate can see
information you might prefer hidden. Do not post compromising photos, and check
that others cannot tag you in photos either. Keep in mind too that the thieves
can also use information about when you are on holiday to pay your house an
unwelcome visit.
6.
Never send money to someone you do not know.
Many scams want you to send them money before you receive your prize or whatever
they are offering and one sent, you will not be able to get it back very
easily.
7.
Beware of job offers that will let you make
“easy money”. Unemployment in Namibia is high and crooks are now targeting the
unemployed with job offers, work-at-home schemes or other business
opportunities that promises big money for very little work and no experience
required. If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
8.
Use a savings account. When you leave money in
your savings account, you get interest on this amount. This is not always the
case with cheque and credit card accounts.
9.
Budget, budget, budget. Every month you should
prepare a budget to show your income, expected expenses and your savings. You
must make an effort to follow this budget and you will be surprised how much
you save when having a clear understanding of where your money is going.
10. Nothing
is free (except Consumer News Magazine). Beware of cash back or other free
offers that encourage you to buy. There is always a price to pay, and you
normally find out only later.
If you can stick to your
resolutions you will be a much happier, wealthier consumer in 2013.
