Consumer Hacks with Wendy Knowler

Before signing that car deal, ask these questions

Buying a car is one of the biggest financial commitments you'll make, so go in with your eyes open. Loan terms typically run 60 to 72 months — a longer term lowers your monthly instalment but significantly increases what you repay overall. Always ask for the total repayment figure, not just the monthly number. Missing payments damages your credit record, and early settlement may carry costs. Crucially, the instalment is just one line item — insurance, fuel, maintenance, and tyres are non-negotiable running costs. Before signing, ask: Is the rate fixed or variable? Is there a balloon payment? What's the total repayment? What are the early settlement terms? Can I genuinely afford this vehicle?

Before buying a used car, get proof of its service history

When buying a used car, service history isn't just a nice-to-have - it can make or break a warranty claim. Durk bought a Nissan Qashqai with an extended warranty and over time paid R21,000 in premiums, only to have his claim rejected because the previous owner had missed the very first scheduled service, invalidating the warranty from day one. When taking out the policy, he'd answered "yes" to the service history question without being certain — and he ended up paying dearly for that. Before committing to buying a car, demand the physical service book and verify it. Whatever you declare when taking out any insurance policy – be it car, homeowners or life insurance - it must be accurate.

Your “available" balance is the one that counts

Fezile had money in his Capitec account - or so he thought. On three occasions since last August, his Telkom debit order went unmet, costing him bank fees, Telkom penalty fees, and a dent in his credit record. When I took up his case with Capitec, the bank explained the crucial distinction: your balance doesn't account for pending transactions, but your available balance does — and that's what debit orders are processed against. The two figures can differ significantly. Lesson learned the expensive way: always check your available balance before your debit order run, not just your balance.

Beware "Quishing" — the QR code scam you don't see coming

Scammers are banking on the fact that while you've been trained to distrust links, you're far less suspicious of QR codes – we are used to scanning them without a second thought. The latest form of bank scam is "quishing" — fake QR codes sent via email or messaging apps that, when scanned, direct you to a fraudulent website engineered to steal your login credentials. The rule is simple: never scan a QR code you weren't expecting. If a bill, parking notice, or email prompts you to scan one, verify the source independently first. SARS and several banks have already issued warnings about this scam.

Five questions to ask before you sign any insurance policy

In South Africa, fully understanding your insurance policy isn't just good sense — it's your legal right. So, to avoid heartbreak at claim stage, ask these five questions before signing: 1.What exactly am I covered for? 2. What is excluded? Read carefully, because exclusions are often buried in technical language after pages of benefits. 3. What excess will I pay? An affordable-looking premium means nothing if the excess makes claiming impossible. 4. How does the claims process work? 5. And critically: what conditions could invalidate my cover? Something as seemingly minor as an inadequate tracking device, or attending one work meeting in your personal vehicle, could see your claim flatly rejected.