Sabric offers tips on banking, withdrawing cash safely

THE SA Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric), on behalf of the banking industry, warns bank clients to always remain alert when carrying cash. Incidents from 2016 to last year increased by 4%.

However, from January to June this year there was a 33% decrease when compared to the same period last year, with 478 and 709 incidents respectively. Bank client cash losses from January to June this year amounted to just over R21 million, a decrease of 5% from the same period last year.

Chief executive Kalyani Pillay says: “Our strong partnerships with the SABS and the banking industry have contributed to this decrease, and we will continue to leverage on these partnerships to support investigations and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book. We are grateful to the SAPS and the banks for their continued support in the fight against these criminals.”

Two crime types remain prevalent: victims are either followed out of a bank after withdrawing cash or are followed after withdrawing money at an ATM. Criminals follow the victim to their residence, place of work or any other place where it is easy to rob them.

In the case of bank branches, “spotters” communicate the victims’ description to accomplices who wait outside the bank. Small business owners are also at risk, particularly when drawing cash to pay weekly wages.

While the banks don’t suffer the financial loss, they are concerned about the safety of their clients. In most robberies, robbers are armed and will resort to violence if the victim tries to resist. From last year until last month, Sabric recorded eight fatalities and 26 injuries due to cash robberies.

Associated robberies also occur in rural towns. Gauteng showed the highest number of incidents (843) last year at 58%, followed by KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, North West, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, the Free State and the Northern Cape.

Fifty-two stokvel robberies were reported between 2015 and this year. Pillay urges bank clients to protect themselves and reduce the risk of becoming a victim by following these tips: For Individuals: Carry as little cash as possible. Consider the convenience of paying your accounts electronically.

Consider cellphone banking, internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking transactions.

Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you. For Businesses:

Vary the days and times when you deposit cash.

Never make your bank visitspublic, even to people close to you.

Do not openly display the money while you are standing in the bank queue.

Avoid carrying moneybags, briefcases or displaying your deposit receipt book.

Identify another branch nearby that you can visit to ensure your banking pattern is not easily detected.

If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grows, consider using the services of a cash-management company.

Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public; rather make use of wage accounts provided by your bank.

Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts. For Stokvel Groupings:

Refrain from making cash deposits of club members’ contributions on high-risk days (for example a Monday after month end).

Ensure those depositing club-cash contributions or making withdrawals are accompanied by another member.

A stokvel savings club or burial society can arrange for members to deposit cash into the club’s account instead of collecting cash.

Arrange for the club’s payout to be electronically transferred into each club member’s personal account or accounts of their choice.

Take another person along when depositing club cash contributions.

For more information, see www. sabric.co.za Louise Tordiffe Media communications liaison manager Sabric