Yoh, the festive season. That magical time of year when the air smells like peppermint, your wallet smells like regret, and everyone suddenly remembers the cousin they owe R200 to from 2017. But while you’re out there spreading joy, swiping your card, and pretending you like Secret Santa gifts, there’s another group getting ready for their own version of the holidays… scammers.
That’s right. The modern Grinches aren’t stealing Christmas with a sleigh; they’re doing it with a fake OTP and a WhatsApp profile pic of “Delivery Guy – SAPO.”
So, in the spirit of giving (and taking), let’s unwrap the 12 scams of Christmas — so you can avoid getting cyber pickpocketed while you’re busy singing along to Mariah Carey or Michael Buble.
That’s right. The modern Grinches aren’t stealing Christmas with a sleigh; they’re doing it with a fake OTP and a WhatsApp profile pic of “Delivery Guy – SAPO.”
So, in the spirit of giving (and taking), let’s unwrap the 12 scams of Christmas — so you can avoid getting cyber pickpocketed while you’re busy singing along to Mariah Carey or Michael Buble.
1. The “Festive Giveaway” That Takes More Than It Gives
You’ve seen it: “Congratulations! You’ve won a year’s supply of groceries from Pick n Pay!” Never mind that you didn’t enter anything. Never mind that the account is called PïcknPäy_Competition_Official and the logo looks like it was designed in Microsoft Paint.
Click that link, and poof — your bank account’s been more generous than you ever were with Christmas presents.
CreH8ive Tip: If you didn’t enter a competition, you didn’t win one. Even if they swear “the Lord is blessing you.” The Lord doesn’t use Bitly links.
Click that link, and poof — your bank account’s been more generous than you ever were with Christmas presents.
CreH8ive Tip: If you didn’t enter a competition, you didn’t win one. Even if they swear “the Lord is blessing you.” The Lord doesn’t use Bitly links.
2. The WhatsApp “Family Group” Scam
There’s nothing like a good ol’ family group chat — the place where your aunt posts daily prayers, your cousin drops memes, and someone accidentally sends a recipe meant for “The Girls Only” group.
But lately, scammers have gotten festive too. They join family groups pretending to be someone new — “Hi it’s me, Thabo, I’ve changed numbers.” Next thing, they’re asking you to “please send R800 for petrol to get home for Christmas.”
CreH8ive Tip: If Thabo suddenly types in perfect grammar and says “God bless,” it’s not Thabo.
But lately, scammers have gotten festive too. They join family groups pretending to be someone new — “Hi it’s me, Thabo, I’ve changed numbers.” Next thing, they’re asking you to “please send R800 for petrol to get home for Christmas.”
CreH8ive Tip: If Thabo suddenly types in perfect grammar and says “God bless,” it’s not Thabo.
3. The Fake Online Store That Sleighs You
You find it, the perfect pair of sneakers. Half price. Free delivery. No returns. The website looks… legit-ish. You click “Checkout” and start mentally styling your new kicks.
Two weeks later, your tracking number leads to a website in Mandarin, your sneakers are “still in customs,” and your bank statement says you just paid “NiceShoesNow.ru.”
CreH8ive Tip: If a deal looks too good to be true, it’s probably being shipped from Narnia.
Two weeks later, your tracking number leads to a website in Mandarin, your sneakers are “still in customs,” and your bank statement says you just paid “NiceShoesNow.ru.”
CreH8ive Tip: If a deal looks too good to be true, it’s probably being shipped from Narnia.
4. The “Delivery Notification” Scam
During the festive season, everyone’s waiting for something: that package from Takealot, that parcel from Shein, or that miracle that your 13th cheque arrives before the debit orders do.
Scammers know this. So they send an SMS: “Your parcel is waiting. Pay R35 customs fee to release.” You click, you pay, you pray — and then realise you’ve just sponsored a scammer’s Christmas lunch.
CreH8ive Tip: The real courier services never send you a link that looks like “courier-fast-delivery.info.biz.za.”
Scammers know this. So they send an SMS: “Your parcel is waiting. Pay R35 customs fee to release.” You click, you pay, you pray — and then realise you’ve just sponsored a scammer’s Christmas lunch.
CreH8ive Tip: The real courier services never send you a link that looks like “courier-fast-delivery.info.biz.za.”
5. The “Festive Job Offer” That’s Actually a Payroll Trap
“Earn R5,000 per week working from home! No experience needed!”
The catch? They just need your ID, banking details, proof of address, and — oh — a small “registration fee.” Next thing you know, someone’s opened a clothing account in your name and is rocking the festive drip you can’t afford.
CreH8ive Tip: Real jobs don’t start with “just send airtime.”
The catch? They just need your ID, banking details, proof of address, and — oh — a small “registration fee.” Next thing you know, someone’s opened a clothing account in your name and is rocking the festive drip you can’t afford.
CreH8ive Tip: Real jobs don’t start with “just send airtime.”
6. The “Charity” That’s a Little Too Charitable
It’s the season of giving, and scammers know you’ve gone soft. They hit your inbox with emotional appeals: “Help Mama Zodwa’s orphanage bring joy this Christmas.” They attach a photo of kids (probably from Google Images), and before you know it, you’ve “donated” via eWallet to a number that’s also collecting from four other fake orphanages.
CreH8ive Tip: Real charities have websites, registration numbers, and actual orphans. Not Gmail addresses like helpinghandsZA2023@gmail.com.
CreH8ive Tip: Real charities have websites, registration numbers, and actual orphans. Not Gmail addresses like helpinghandsZA2023@gmail.com.
7. The Tap ‘n Go Grinch
You’re at the mall, juggling ten shopping bags, your sanity, and a peppermint latte. You tap your card one too many times, and suddenly there’s a “mystery purchase” from “POS DEVICE #0047 – Sunnyside.”
Some scammers use hidden scanners near POS machines to skim your card data — because nothing says “festive spirit” like data theft with a dash of cinnamon.
CreH8ive Tip: Tap safely. Don’t hand your card to anyone who disappears behind the counter longer than it takes to swipe.
Some scammers use hidden scanners near POS machines to skim your card data — because nothing says “festive spirit” like data theft with a dash of cinnamon.
CreH8ive Tip: Tap safely. Don’t hand your card to anyone who disappears behind the counter longer than it takes to swipe.
8. The “Santa’s Side Hustle” Scam
You’re out at the robot, and there he is, a guy in a Santa hat selling “original perfumes” from the boot of his car. R100 for Hugo Boss? R50 for Chanel? Sure, Jan.
You buy it, spray it, and smell like heartbreak and petrol fumes for the rest of December.
CreH8ive Tip: If Santa’s slinging Versace from a VW Polo, it’s not a Christmas miracle — it’s a chemical hazard.
You buy it, spray it, and smell like heartbreak and petrol fumes for the rest of December.
CreH8ive Tip: If Santa’s slinging Versace from a VW Polo, it’s not a Christmas miracle — it’s a chemical hazard.
9. The “Year-End IT Update” Phishing Scam
Businesses aren’t safe either. Around December, inboxes fill with fake “system updates” or “account verifications” from IT departments. You’re told to click a link to “confirm your email.” Click it, and you’ve just given someone in another hemisphere access to your company’s client list — and possibly Brenda from accounting’s baking schedule.
CreH8ive Tip: When in doubt, call IT. Or better yet, walk over to them. They’re the ones eating mince pies alone in the server room.
CreH8ive Tip: When in doubt, call IT. Or better yet, walk over to them. They’re the ones eating mince pies alone in the server room.
10. The “Black Friday Hangover” Scam
The festive season actually starts on Black Friday, or as scammers call it, “Harvest Time.” They set up realistic websites with countdown timers and “90% off everything.” People buy electronics that never arrive, and by the time December rolls in, those sites are gone faster than your self-control at Woolies’ dessert section.
CreH8ive Tip: Always check if a website has real reviews — not just “Great service!” from “Thandi J.” who suspiciously reviews every store ever created.
CreH8ive Tip: Always check if a website has real reviews — not just “Great service!” from “Thandi J.” who suspiciously reviews every store ever created.
11. The “Festive Catering” Fraud
This one’s uniquely South African. You’re planning a year-end party, you find a caterer on Facebook offering a full spit braai for R1,500 “all inclusive.” You pay the deposit. You even get an invoice with a logo.
On the big day, you’re left with no meat, no chef, and a WhatsApp message that says “This number no longer exists.”
CreH8ive Tip: Never pay in full until the meat hits the braai. And if the business has no landline, email, or actual surname — run.
On the big day, you’re left with no meat, no chef, and a WhatsApp message that says “This number no longer exists.”
CreH8ive Tip: Never pay in full until the meat hits the braai. And if the business has no landline, email, or actual surname — run.
12. The “Festive Investment” That Isn’t
Nothing says “December” like that friend who suddenly becomes an investment advisor. They promise, “You put in R1,000, and in two weeks you get R3,000. It’s legit — my cousin’s neighbour’s uncle did it.”
By mid-January, your “investment” is gone, your “advisor” is unreachable, and your cousin’s neighbour’s uncle has joined another WhatsApp group called “Blessed Circle 2.0.”
CreH8ive Tip: If it sounds like a pyramid, smells like a pyramid, and your bank balance looks flatter than a pyramid’s base — it’s a scam.
By mid-January, your “investment” is gone, your “advisor” is unreachable, and your cousin’s neighbour’s uncle has joined another WhatsApp group called “Blessed Circle 2.0.”
CreH8ive Tip: If it sounds like a pyramid, smells like a pyramid, and your bank balance looks flatter than a pyramid’s base — it’s a scam.
The Psychology of the Season
Scammers thrive on timing. The festive season is emotional, chaotic, and filled with optimism — the perfect recipe for bad decisions. They know you’re distracted, broke, or desperate to make someone happy. They also know you’re less likely to question something that feels good.
That’s why scams this time of year often use emotion as bait: joy, urgency, guilt, or generosity. You’re more likely to say yes, click fast, or “just send the money quickly” because it’s December and you’re in a good mood.
Think of scammers as creative directors — just not the kind you’d want on your team. They know how to use emotive storytelling, urgency-driven CTAs, and brand mimicry better than half the agencies out there. It’s evil UX design — but it’s still UX.
That’s why scams this time of year often use emotion as bait: joy, urgency, guilt, or generosity. You’re more likely to say yes, click fast, or “just send the money quickly” because it’s December and you’re in a good mood.
Think of scammers as creative directors — just not the kind you’d want on your team. They know how to use emotive storytelling, urgency-driven CTAs, and brand mimicry better than half the agencies out there. It’s evil UX design — but it’s still UX.
How to Not Get CreH8ively Scammed
Here’s your anti-scam survival kit:
- Slow down. Scammers rely on urgency. Breathe before you click.
- Verify the source. Call, Google, or stalk (ethically) the sender.
- Don’t overshare. Your ID and bank details are not festive greetings.
- Check the spelling. Real brands spell their own name correctly.
- Trust your gut. If it feels dodgy, it’s probably dodgy.
- Educate your circle. Especially your parents — because they still think “SMS competitions” are real.
- Report it. Scammers hate exposure more than they hate two-factor authentication.
Final Thoughts
The festive season should be about laughter, family, food, and pretending to like fruitcake — not recovering your hacked Facebook account or explaining to the bank how you “accidentally” sent R2,000 to a delivery guy.
So stay alert, stay skeptical, and keep your money in your account where it belongs. And if someone messages you saying you’ve won a “Festive Hamper from CreH8ive Times”… well, we hate to break it to you, but we can barely afford mince pies for ourselves.
From all of us at CreH8ive Times, stay safe, stay smart, and may your only December drama be from your family group chat — not your bank notifications.
So stay alert, stay skeptical, and keep your money in your account where it belongs. And if someone messages you saying you’ve won a “Festive Hamper from CreH8ive Times”… well, we hate to break it to you, but we can barely afford mince pies for ourselves.
From all of us at CreH8ive Times, stay safe, stay smart, and may your only December drama be from your family group chat — not your bank notifications.
