Be aware of who is watching when you withdraw money

IT IS that time of the year again when money is plentiful as people receive their year-end bonuses and salaries. It is also the time when more people are likely to get scammed. Police spokesperson, Lieutenant- Colonel Andre Traut said they would like to encourage people not to carry large sums of cash.

“It is no secret that the majority of the population prepare to be festive in December and January and for this reason carry more cash than usual or carry bonuses to their homes or banks.

“This is also a time that stokvel contributions are withdrawn at financial institutions and divided among members. Criminals know about these arrangements.”

Kalyani Pillay, South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) chief executive said those most likely to fall prey to card fraud were those who were not vigilant.

“Individuals who are not aware of the possibility of being victimised, who accept assistance from strangers and do not cover the hand that inserts their pin.”

She said that although recorded incidents of people being followed after making large withdrawals from inside bank branches had shown a 48% decrease compared with last year, “the banks remain concerned since clients are exposed to the risk of serious injury and losing their hardearned cash”.

She said the banks had tactical teams in place that addressed perpetrators committing crime at ATMs and to your bank and transact at another ATM.

Be cautious of strangers offering to help as they could be trying to distract you in order to get your card or pin.

Be alert of your sur-

Arrange security when transporting

and distributing cash for a stokvel

they also worked closely with the SAPS to tackle syndicates.

If you think the ATM is faulty cancel the transaction immediately, report the fault roundings. Do not use the ATM if there are loiterers or suspicious people nearby. Also take note that fraudsters are often well-spoken and respectable-looking individuals.

Know what your ATM looks like so that you are able to identify any foreign objects attached to it.

Do not use an ATM if the card slot, keypad or screen has been tampered with.

If your card is swallowed by the ATM, do not leave the ATM before you have cancelled the card.

Review your account statements timeously; query disputed transactions with your bank immediately.

Ensure you get your own card back after every purchase.

Destroy your credit card receipts before discarding them.

Always conceal your cash and wallet, and do not count money in public.

Do withdrawals at the bank discreetly and make use of the private tellers when it is large amounts

Arrange security when transporting cash for the purpose of a stokvel and when distributing to participating members.

It is wise to deposit stokvel contributions into members’ bank accounts.

Avoid isolated ATMs and using an ATM late at night.

Be aware of people following you from a bank or your place of employment after wages have been paid.

If you suspect that you are being followed, make an attempt to swiftly approach a public place, or call the SAPS emergency number on 10111.