Hack your way past scams and mistakes with Wendy Knowler
Sneaky phone settings that put your money at risk or hidden contract rollovers and online shopping traps, Wendy Knowler reveals the hacks every consumer needs.
1. Locked Screen Security: That SMS could be a gift to a fraudster
Here’s a quick privacy fix: disable SMS previews on your locked phone screen. If your phone is stolen or even just sitting on a table, a thief can see your bank OTPs (One-Time Pins) without needing to unlock your device. It takes 30 seconds in your settings to change "Show Previews" to "Never" or "When Unlocked." It’s the simplest way to prevent a phone snatch from turning into a bank account drain.
2. Contract Rollovers: The "Silent" Renewals
Many cellphone contracts quietly roll over into a month-to-month contract at a higher rate once your initial "special" ends. The cellphone companies aren't great at reminding you of that, despite them being legally obliged to. So, make a calendar note one month before your contract expires. This gives you the window to renegotiate a better deal or cancel without being hit with a "notice period" fee that keeps you trapped for another 30 days.
3. Take photos of your check-in luggage before sending it on its way
Here’s why: Last September, Murunwa took a flight from Vietnam to Johannesburg.
He arrived home late at night and didn’t take a proper look at his suitcase until the next morning. That’s when he saw it had been badly damaged. The airline offered him compensation of less than R300. When he objected, the airline said that in the photo he’d uploaded on their site, “we regrettably are unable to see any liable damage to your luggage, nothing beyond wear and tear associated with normal handling.”
If Murunwa had taken clear photos of the perfect suitcase before that trip, he’d have had a stronger case. Excuse the pun.
4. Beware of online pharmacy sites
Prinita wrote: “I recently bought R1 500 worth of sanitising liquid and soap online from a company with a name that includes the word "Pharma".
Three weeks later, no delivery.
Now, I see a red flag on the site: no contact details and there are many hellopeter complaints about the same thing.
*As for whether companies can sell medication online? Yes, provided they are an extension of a registered physical pharmacy. Use the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) search register. You can search by the pharmacy's name or its Y-number (registration number).
Prescription medication (Schedules 3–6) requires a valid script from a licensed practitioner. Buying from unlicensed or international sites without SAHPRA (SA Health Products Regulatory Authority) authorisation is illegal and risks counterfeit products.
5. Who knows the correct answer to this one?
It’s test your Consumer Protection Act knowledge time.
Ingrid wrote: “In early February, I bought a R1400 double feather down duvet as a gift for my sister, not realising that her bed is queen-sized.
"The shop refused to exchange it 'for hygienic reasons’.
"The packaging was never opened, but I have unfortunately mislaid the slip."
Do the sisters have a legal right to exchange that duvet? If you said no, full marks to you.
- If you buy something in a physical store, the store can refuse to take it back unless it is defective in some way. (Many stores do, but they are essentially doing you a favour
- In any case, you can’t force a retailer to take back anything you’ve bought if you don’t have proof of purchase.
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Get in touch with Wendy via her website or her Facebook page. Please note that Wendy is not able to personally respond to every email she receives. If she is able to take up your case, she will contact you directly. Here are other avenues for you to consider.