24-07-2025
Ballito NPO's phone hacked in voice phishing scam
A single phone call compromised Smile with United States NPO co-founder Cindy Bansi's cellphone number, putting more than 1 000 contacts, including sponsors, at risk.
Based in Frasers near Ballito, the non-profit provides vital nutrition, shelter and clothing to the poor. Bansi's number was hacked after she answered a call from an unknown number.
'I have various contacts and groups. The man who took control of my number contacted them asking for money,' she said.
Bansi said the cyberattack jeopardised the organisation's reputation and operations as she had used the same number for over 20 years, with all her work linked to it. To make matters worse, she received minimal support from her service provider.
'My bank did not want to block the number that night, even though I explained it was fraudulent. I phoned five times,' she said.
It took two days to regain access to her number. Fortunately, no funds were lost.
Enrico Botha, an IT technician from Teamwork Computers, explained that this type of cyberattack is known as vishing (voice phishing). It involves a phone call used to manipulate victims into sharing sensitive information or unknowingly granting access to their devices.
'To protect yourself, avoid weak passwords or reusing the same password across sites,' said Botha. 'Use long, complex passwords, ideally at least 12 characters and store them securely with a password manager.'
He also recommended enabling two-factor authentication on all important accounts.
'Even if your password is stolen, a second layer of verification can stop the hacker.'
Other tips include:
• Only download apps from trusted sources, like Google Play or the Apple App Store, and always check the permissions apps request. If an app requests more permissions than it needs, like access to your contacts or microphone when it does not seem necessary, that's a red flag.
• Set a PIN or password with your mobile provider to prevent SIM swap fraud. 'Without one, a hacker may easily impersonate you using basic personal details,' said Botha.
• Use identity protection services like LifeLock or IDShield to monitor your personal data and alert you to suspicious activity.
'Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, but by taking simple steps, you can stay one step ahead,' he said.
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