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March 21, 2024
Fraudulent use of Digital Fire name and identity: WhatsApp and Telegram Scams

As technology advances, unfortunately, so do the tactics of scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. WhatsApp and Telegram, two popular used messaging platforms, have unfortunately become breeding grounds for various scams. It’s crucial to be aware of these scams to protect yourself, personal information, and loss of money.

Recently Digital Fire, and numerous other agencies, have fallen victim to these scammers. Currently, there are fraudulent Digital Fire groups circulating offering individuals’ money for doing basic tasks. This job recruitment scam is falsely associated with Digital Fire, and we ask individuals to please be careful and vigilant.

How do the scammers operate:

  1. Fake profile created and greeting message: Scammers create fake profiles and names of individuals and companies, or impersonate people and companies, in this case Digital Fire. These messages are sent out via Whatapp or Telegram. The message generally comes across as friendly and provides you with information on how you can generate extra income by completing specific and basic tasks. Tempting, especially in our current economic climate, but beware, when it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
  2. Apparently, victims will get paid initially for basic tasks completed. Not big amounts, less than a R100, but this is how they build trust. Please note, payment methods and amounts will differ, but the modus operandi is the same.
  3. “Easy money,’ you think, as you received your R20 / R50 or a R100 after completing a few tasks. Trust is built and then they catch you as they will proposition you with the opportunity to earn more money. They will ask you to make a payment of around R1000, this various, which will allow you to earn more money. After you make the payment, you will receive less or no communication from them or asked to still perform basic tasks and will not make the money that were promised to you. Basically, you were scammed for a much bigger amount than you initially received.
  4. If asked about legitimacy, they send out our Digital Fire website address and company information. Even though we have a disclaimer on our home page, the scammers still tell individuals they are aware of it and will remove it.

To stay safe from WhatsApp and Telegram scams:

1. Be skeptical of messages from unknown numbers or contacts, especially random big Whatsapp Groups.
2. Never share personal information, passwords, or financial details with strangers.
3. Verify the identity of the sender before taking any action, if you are unsure, contact us.
4 Report any suspicious activity to the platform’s support team

Always verify the identity of the person or organization before sharing anything valuable if you are unsure get in touch by our official www.digitalfire.co.za channels. We are happy to assist and guide you to protect yourself.

Please note: Digital Fire will never ask for money, offer money or jobs through messaging apps. We also do not communicate via Whatsapp or Telegram.

Stay vigilant, trust your instincts, get in touch with us if you are unsure and protect yourself from falling victim to WhatsApp and Telegram scams.

December 2023 News24 article relating to these types of scams: Click here

November 30, 2018
Automated emails and their importance in the travel industry

Many individuals will ask why automated emails or triggered emails are important. The answer is rather simple: Email automation can help your company broadcast timely, relevant and personalised emails to your database. Generally speaking these emails are more likely to be opened and clicked on, thus increasing the chances of generating revenue for your business.

As D Newman said: “Email has an ability many channels don’t: creating valuable, personal touches – at scale.”

Here are a few automated emails sent by travel agencies:

  1. Automated Welcome Email
  • This is your 1st communication with a new subscriber; ensure you design a great looking mailer by using strong and engaging images and copy. Create curiosity and give them more information or a few travel ideas or destinations that they will find interesting.
  1. Promotional Email
  • These need to be persuasive, as the main objective is to generate leads and engage with subscribers trying to convince them to buy a specific holiday / flight / travel package etc. Once again, visual images and clever copy will work wonders! Get potential customers thinking and dreaming about their next weekend away or international trip or dream destination. The travel industry has an advantage to many other – everybody is always on the look out for a holiday or dreaming about one. By creating travel mailers with beautiful images of beaches, lakes, mountains or a lifestyle etc. the travel industry are selling the idea that ‘this could be you next.’
  1. Pre-arrival automated Emails
  • Create a sense of excitement about their upcoming trip, by giving them tips or asking them if they’ve start packing etc. All of this will build customer loyalty and the chances are you’ll be front of mind when they book their next trip, due to your great customer service.

Real time emails and personalised emails are also important in the fast moving customer orientated world we live in today.

Dynamic content, based on demographic data like age, holiday preferences, search history etc. can take personalisation to the next level and will definitely have a positive impact on your bottom line. If you are not doing this, you are losing out.

If you design and broadcast great looking emails, with informative information that add value to the end reader, you’ll establish yourself as the ‘go to travel company. ’ By being the ‘travel expert’ you’ll create brand loyalty that will definitely lead to sales and an increase in profits!

Remember… to stay relevant and front of mind, you have to adapt and move with the changing times… if you are not, you’ll stay behind while your customers will move to the competition as they are giving them much more than they ever expected and you don’t want that…

 

References:

https://emailmonks.com/blog/email-marketing/travel-email-marketing-automation/

 

November 29, 2018
A roadmap to great email marketing in the travel industry

According to statistics, 85% of people find that ‘spending money on travel is an investment worth making,’ so the goal for all travel agencies should be to help customers make up their minds, enter email marketing!

One of the easiest ways to stay front of mind for agencies is via Email Marketing. Beside it being easy, it also has a great ROI – up to $38 for every $1 spend.

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