The festive season is a time of immense joy, reflection, and community. Between the rush to find the perfect Baju Raya, the aroma of freshly baked kuih and the spirit of giving, our hearts (and schedules) are full.
Unfortunately, scammers see this festive bustle as an opportunity. During Raya, we often make quick decisions under pressure, whether it’s a last-minute catering order or a heartfelt response to a charity appeal. This urgency, combined with our natural desire to be generous, can sometimes cloud our judgment.
By staying informed, we can protect our hard-earned savings and keep the focus where it belongs: on our family and faith.
Unfortunately, scammers see this festive bustle as an opportunity. During Raya, we often make quick decisions under pressure, whether it’s a last-minute catering order or a heartfelt response to a charity appeal. This urgency, combined with our natural desire to be generous, can sometimes cloud our judgment.
By staying informed, we can protect our hard-earned savings and keep the focus where it belongs: on our family and faith.
1. The “Urgent Charity” WhatsApp
We’ve all seen those messages in the family group chat where someone shares a heartbreaking story about a local family in need.
- The Scene: You get a forwarded message from a number you don't recognise, but the profile picture is a mosque or a generic "charity" logo. The message says: "As-salam, we only need $300 more to buy groceries for 10 elderly families for their Raya feast. Please help if you can, even $5 makes a difference!"
- The Emotional Hook: They don't ask for thousands; they ask for a "small" amount that feels easy to give. But when you ask for the organisation’s name, they say, "Just send it to the volunteer’s personal account [Name] to save time, we need to buy the vegetables before the market closes!"
- The Reality Check: Real charities have official bank accounts and don't mind you asking for a registration number. If they’re rushing you to donate, it’s a red flag.
2. The "Instagram-Perfect" Baker
Your feed is probably full of reels of beautiful tapak kuda cakes and jars of gold-flecked cookies. Scammers know we’re all looking for that one "special" treat to impress our guests.
- The Scene: You find a new page with 5,000 followers and stunning photos of "Premium Biscoff Tarts." The price is half of what the famous bakers charge. You DM them, and they’re super friendly, telling you, "Sis, I only have 3 slots left for delivery this weekend. Full payment now to secure your order!"
- The Emotional Hook: You’re busy, you’re tired, and you just want the dessert situation sorted. You transfer $80 and... silence. No reply to your DMs, and suddenly, the account is deleted.
- The Reality Check: Look at the comments. If the "comments are limited" or if every single review sounds like a robot wrote it, walk away. A real baker is happy to show you "behind the scenes" photos of their actual kitchen.
3. The "Live" Personal Shopper
We’ve all been there: the bag you wanted is sold out everywhere. Suddenly, you see a "Personal Shopper" posting a video from inside the boutique, claiming they’ve found the last few pieces.
- The Scene: The Personal Shopper writes: "Guys! I'm at the mall right now! The viral puffer bag I found in Sage Green! First to respond gets the last few bags."
- The Emotional Hook: It feels like a race. You’re worried someone else will grab it, so you transfer the money in a heartbeat. Then come the excuses: "The courier is slow," or "I accidentally sent it to the wrong person." Eventually, they just block you.
- The Reality Check: A legitimate Personal Shopper has a "Highlight" on their profile with hundreds of tagged photos from happy customers. If their only proof is a few screenshots of "bank transfers" that look blurry, they’re likely faking it.
How to Stay Scam-Smart
You don't have to stop shopping or giving to those in need. You just need to pause and verify. Here are four simple ways to protect your wallet while you celebrate:
- Verify the "Vibe": Check their profile and page history to see when a page was created and if there are legitimate reviews. For charities, look out for official registration numbers.
- Sleep On It: Scammers rely on festive FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). If a seller is rushing you or getting defensive when you ask for a physical address or a receipt, walk away.
- Keep the Paper Trail Official: Whenever possible, use official apps and payment gateways. Avoid sending cash or using untraceable "gift card" payments.
- Trust Your Gut: If a deal feels too good to be true, or a charity appeal feels overly aggressive, your intuition is probably right.
If you realise you’ve been targeted or have already sent money to a suspicious account, the most important thing to remember is: Don’t be hard on yourself. These scammers are highly trained at manipulating emotions, especially during the busy festive season. It can happen to anyone.
Take a deep breath and follow these four Rs to regain control:
Take a deep breath and follow these four Rs to regain control:
- REJECT: The moment you suspect a scam, stop all communication. Simply block the number or the account and move to the next step.
- RESCUE: Contact your bank’s fraud hotline immediately. They deal with these situations every day and will be ready to help you secure your accounts, freeze your cards if necessary, or flag the recipient's account to prevent others from being hurt.
- REPORT: File a police report. This might feel like a big step, but it’s an important way to protect yourself.
- REVEAL: It might feel a little awkward at first, but by sharing your story with your friends and family, you might be the reason a loved one or a neighbour doesn't fall for the same trap.
A Lesson Learned
While we all love the convenience of shopping and giving from our phones, staying safe online is a team effort. Banks like Baiduri Bank work tirelessly behind the scenes – building secure platforms and monitoring transactions 24/7 – to keep your hard-earned savings safe. However, the most important part of that security system is actually you.
Scams can happen to anyone, especially when we are distracted by the beautiful chaos of festive preparations. By staying curious, asking questions, and hitting "pause" when a deal feels too good to be true, you’re protecting the peace of mind and joy that this festive season is all about.
To learn more about identifying digital threats and protecting your financial health, you can explore the resources on Baiduri Learn.
If you’re a Baiduri Bank customer and has fallen victim to a scam, contact our 24-hour Customer Helpline at 2449666 and call the Royal Brunei Police Force’s Anti-Scam Centre at 16993 right away for immediate guidance, and confirmation before making a police report.
Scams can happen to anyone, especially when we are distracted by the beautiful chaos of festive preparations. By staying curious, asking questions, and hitting "pause" when a deal feels too good to be true, you’re protecting the peace of mind and joy that this festive season is all about.
To learn more about identifying digital threats and protecting your financial health, you can explore the resources on Baiduri Learn.
If you’re a Baiduri Bank customer and has fallen victim to a scam, contact our 24-hour Customer Helpline at 2449666 and call the Royal Brunei Police Force’s Anti-Scam Centre at 16993 right away for immediate guidance, and confirmation before making a police report.
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