Short answer: December brings more MoMo transfers, parcels and shopping, and scammers follow. The most common Christmas scams in Ghana are fake telco promos, fake hamper and food sellers, parcel "clearance fee" texts, fake Christmas loans and hacked friends asking for money. If a message wants a PIN, a code or a payment to "release" something, stop.
The 8 Christmas scams to watch
- Fake telco Christmas promos. "You've won in the MTN/Telecel Christmas promo. Send a fee to claim." Real promos never ask winners to pay. See fake giveaway scams.
- Christmas hamper and food sellers on Instagram and WhatsApp who take full payment by MoMo, then disappear.
- Parcel clearance texts. "Your Ghana Post or DHL parcel is held. Pay to release." The Cyber Security Authority has warned about these. Read fake parcel scams.
- Fake Christmas loans. Loan apps promising quick cash for the holidays, then demanding a "processing fee". See loan app scams.
- Hacked friends asking for urgent money on WhatsApp or Instagram. Call them on their normal number first.
- "Sent you money by mistake" calls during busy MoMo days. Read the reversal scam.
- Fake event and travel deals: ticket scams and short-let scams.
- Fake Black Friday and Christmas sales sites: how to spot real deals.
Five rules for the festive season
- Never share your MoMo PIN or a code sent to your phone.
- Prefer pay on delivery for gifts and food.
- Check names before you confirm a MoMo transfer.
- Check any number on TrustCheck before paying a stranger.
- Report scams fast: your MoMo provider, the Cyber Security Authority on 292, and TrustCheck.
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