We are serious about preventing fraud and misconduct. The Rise Student Living (“RISE”) whistleblowing mailbox is a facility where you can report any fraud or misconduct that you are aware of within Rise. All incidents reported will be handled with the strictest of confidentiality, and the reporter’s identity will remain anonymous. We view any criminal activity as an extremely serious matter with zero-tolerance for fraud or misconduct and we’re committed to the enforcement of an anti-crime culture throughout the organisation.
If you suspect any fraud, irregular or unethical practices committed by Rise representatives, you can report it by sending an email to whistleblowing@risestudentliving.com.
Online-based scams are always doing the rounds. Scammers are running fake social media profiles and bogus websites. These scammers may also go to great lengths such as creating websites with an error in the domain that may not be noticed at first sight; domains such as www.risestudentliving.co.za or www.risestudenttliving.com. We’d like to assure you that none of our Rise representatives will approach you in this manner, nor would they require of you to opt into any of our services and products through a social networking site. Please be vigilant on any of the tricks that the scammers may present. If you need clarity on this or would like to authenticate a message, feel free to send us a mail at whistleblowing@risestudentliving.com.
We want to assure you that our Rise representatives will never ask you to pay money into an account without signing a valid contract. Furthermore, our Rise representatives are not authorised to accept cash or deposits into private bank accounts, on behalf of the company. If you have any questions on this, please send an email to whistleblowing@risestudentliving.com to check the authenticity of any offers doing the rounds.
Your security is a high priority for us, especially as we see an unprecedented increase in fraudulent activity. Scammers are getting very clever in deceiving people, but we can defeat them together if we are extra vigilant, aware, and cautious. We’ve listed below a few of the common scams our experts have identified.
Scammers pretend to be from reputable companies. They either create fake social media or WhatsApp posts and profiles to convince you to share your personal or financial information – often with promises of exorbitant or unrealistic financial returns or large sums of money for little or no effort on your part. The profiles often impersonate actual employees or use a real company’s name or logo. Always think twice before handing over or depositing money or providing your information to the suspected scammer, as it can be used to access your bank account, make fraudulent purchases, or steal your identity. Once you’ve deposited your money into the bank account nominated by the perpetrator, you’ll likely never hear from them again.
Legitimate employers will never promise work in exchange for an up-front fee or favours. There’s also no good reason for you to send them your bank account details before securing a job. Do not go for interviews in unsafe places. Reputable companies will interview you at their offices or a registered employment agency or via an online call. Never agree to meet someone at a private home or apartment for an interview.
Beware of individuals you meet through social media sites or apps, especially if they promise romance before you’ve met in person. These scammers play on your emotions to defraud you out of your money. They tend to be experts at creating fake profiles. Recently set up profiles or pages with very little information, friends or timeline of existence must be treated as suspicious. Requests for travel money to meet you, cash gifts, or money to help them out of a personal crisis should have you immediately running in the opposite direction. Not being able to ‘meet’ them on a video call or to speak on the phone should also be a red flag, especially if they always cancel at the last minute.
Unlike traditional email phishing, where one email is sent to numerous random users, spear phishing is more targeted. Fraudsters study their victims’ online habits then customise their messages accordingly. When you open the email, the source and content look legitimate, and the next thing you know, you’ve been scammed.
Vishing is merely phishing done through a telephone call. Similar to the electronic version, the aim is to trick you into handing over confidential information to the caller, who usually claims to be representing a legitimate institution such as your bank.
As the name suggests, criminals create a replica of a genuine website, with the aim of collecting confidential information from users in order to defraud them. Always check to see if the URL is correct and matches the website. Preferably type the URL yourself rather than follow a link.
Visit the SAFPS website for more comprehensive tips on fraud prevention and other useful contacts.