Last week, we hosted a webinar on financial cybersecurity, bringing together key industry experts to discuss the evolving landscape of digital finance and the growing risks associated with online transactions. This event, organised in collaboration with Vodafone Fiji and the Consumer Council of Fiji, marked the official launch of our new Financial Cybersecurity course on SaverLearning.

Shailendra Prasad, General Manager of Digital Financial Services at Vodafone Fiji, opened the discussion by emphasising how digital financial services are becoming an integral part of everyday transactions. While these services offer unparalleled convenience, they also expose users to new risks, including identity theft, phishing scams, and social engineering tactics.

Shailendra highlighted the pressing need for digital financial literacy to help individuals protect their personal and financial data. He shared cases of scams in Fiji, particularly those exploiting social media platforms and messaging apps like Viber and WhatsApp. A lack of multi-factor authentication has led to numerous cases of identity theft, with fraudsters impersonating victims to solicit money from their contacts.

Seema Shandil, CEO of the Consumer Council of Fiji, shed light on the organisation’s efforts to educate consumers and advocate for stronger policies to protect them from cyber threats. She shared statistics of the impact of threats upon the region: in 2022 alone, the Consumer Council received over 1,458 complaints related to cyber fraud, with losses amounting to FJD 2.3 million.

Seema emphasised the need for continuous awareness campaigns and stronger enforcement of existing cybersecurity laws. She also stressed the importance of personal responsibility, urging consumers to be vigilant in verifying online vendors, avoiding suspicious links, and ensuring their personal data remains protected.

Jon Capal, CEO of Saver Global, introduced the newly launched Financial Cybersecurity course on SaverLearning. Designed to be accessible and engaging, the course provides users with practical tools and insights to navigate the digital financial ecosystem safely.

With interactive learning modules covering topics such as securing accounts, recognising scams, and making safe online transactions, the platform empowers users to make informed financial decisions while minimising cybersecurity risks.

Furthermore, SaverLearning’s partnership with Vodafone Fiji ensures that financial education is integrated directly within the M-PAiSA app, making it more accessible to Fijians. Future plans for the platform include additional courses on insurance, investments, and women’s financial literacy.

A key theme that emerged throughout the webinar was the importance of collaboration. Industry stakeholders—including service providers, regulators, and consumer advocacy groups—must work together to create a safer digital financial environment.

Some of the major takeaways from the webinar include:

• Stay Vigilant: Always verify online offers that seem too good to be true and avoid sharing personal details with unknown sources.
• Use Strong Security Measures: Enable multi-factor authentication, use strong passwords, and update apps regularly.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to relevant authorities such as the Consumer Council of Fiji or the Fiji Police Cybercrime Unit (if you reside in Fiji).
• Continue Learning: Financial education is an ongoing process. Utilise resources like SaverLearning to stay informed about emerging cyber threats.

The rise of digital financial services brings both opportunities and challenges. As financial transactions continue to shift online, it is crucial that individuals are equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves from cyber threats.

We extend our gratitude to our speakers, Jon Capal, Shailendra Prassad and Seema Shandeel, and all attendees for contributing to a meaningful discussion. This webinar is just the beginning—by fostering a culture of financial awareness and digital security, we can collectively build a more secure financial future.

For those who missed the session, the Financial Cybersecurity course is now available on SaverLearning. Download the app today and take control of your digital financial safety!

Stay safe. Stay informed. Stay empowered.