What should I look out for before making a payment?

Please use your institution’s official and authorized payment partner, platform, and process to make a payment. If you are suspicious of any contact, always use official phone numbers, online accounts, and official communication channels to verify the details. Here’s a list of key questions to consider before making a payment:

• Is someone asking you for your personal, confidential, or security information?
• Are you being forced to take an immediate decision or make an urgent payment?
• Does the text or email you received contain poor spelling, grammar, or formatting?
• Has someone contacted you unexpectedly?
• Does the offer sound too good to be true?
• Have you been asked to keep quiet about something?
• Have any contact details been provided? If so, are there mobile or cell numbers or PO boxes?
• Does it encourage you to click on a website link in an SMS or email from an unknown sender?
• Does it ask you to reply or verify your account or information?