What brands, banks & scammers hope you never find out

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.

Stop getting ripped off: The Consumer Hacks every South African needs to know

Wendy Knowler is back with the kind of advice your wallet has been waiting for. Keep your receipts, check what your cellphone insurance actually covers, know what to say when telemarketers call and yes, you can get that bottle deposit back in cash. Small things. Big difference.

What brands, banks & scammers hope you never find out

Wendy Knowler breaks down the things brands, banks, and scammers are counting on you not knowing — from new labeling rules that expose what's really in your food, to the cancellation clause that could cost you your entire wedding deposit, to the sophisticated scams now targeting everyday South Africans. Knowledge is your only protection.