SUIDEROORD – It appears bank card theft is persisting against all odds as criminals intensify their focus on getting their hands on your bank card.
A SENIOR citizen reported to the CHRONICLE that she was robbed by an elderly man on November 22, who may have targeted her.
The 67-year-old woman said that she was at Columbine Square in Suideroord at an ABSA ATM to withdraw money from her SASSA card, when she was approached by the elderly man.
The South resident who was robbed, said: “I pushed my card into the ABSA ATM just as the elderly African man was walking away from the ABSA ATM to Standard Bank ATM. He said to me, it’s easy to work this one. He showed me how to press a button, and when my card was in I couldn’t get it out. I pressed cancel but still my card wouldn’t come out. The guy said my card won’t come out and I must enter my pin.”
The victim further explained: “I put my pin in and then I pressed the cancel button. I’m not sure if he took my card while we were at the ATM, because he was standing right next to me. I suspect that he may have quickly removed my card, because he was gone and I didn’t get my card.”
For identification purposes the criminal could be recognised by his dress code. “The man was wearing a khaki overall top.”
The man got away with the card and the victim was left scared and confused at the shopping complex. He later reportedly withdrew R1 000 at Winchester Green Shopping Centre and afterwards withdrew another amount of R400.
As the festive season draws close criminals work overtime to rid South residents of their resources.
A young woman was also robbed of her bank card at the same ABSA ATM on November 22, by suspects who got away in a red Polo with no registration plates. Fortunately, both women were not harmed physically during the robberies.
The 67-year-old woman said that her wish was to warn residents to be extra vigilant when withdrawing money at any ATM, and they should be careful not to fall victim to the criminals.
ATM bank card thefts have been taking place at various ATMs in the South, there is no central point which is targeted more than others.
