The Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Council of Fiji, Seema Shandil, is urging Fijians to adopt three simple steps, Stop, Think and Verify,to protect themselves from the growing threat of scams.

Speaking on Fiji One’s Talk Business, Shandil said scammers are increasingly using phone calls, social media, messaging apps such as Viber, and text messages to target unsuspecting people.

She said consumers should never feel pressured to act immediately when they receive unexpected requests for money, personal information or financial transactions.

Instead, Shandil advises people to stop and think about whether they know the person contacting them, where the request is coming from, and whether any immediate action is actually necessary.

She says consumers should then verify the information by contacting the organisation directly using an official phone number they already know or can obtain from a trusted source.

Shandil says this is especially important when callers claim to represent banks, the Fiji Police Force or other government agencies.

She warns that legitimate organisations will not object if customers take the time to independently verify a request before responding.

Shandil also encouraged scam victims to speak openly about their experiences instead of suffering in silence.

She says being scammed is not something people should feel ashamed or embarrassed about, adding that sharing their experiences can help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.

The Consumer Council CEO also cautioned consumers against “get rich quick” investment opportunities, saying these schemes often prey on people’s hopes of making easy money.

She says scammers exploit people’s financial vulnerabilities by promising unrealistic returns before taking their money and disappearing.

Shandil is reminding Fijians to exercise caution, particularly when approached about online investment opportunities or digital business ventures, and to always verify their legitimacy before making any financial commitment.