Don’t use dye-stained notes looted from ATMs, Sabric
People who are in possession of these notes run the risk of being investigated, arrested, and prosecuted for the destruction of ATMs.
The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) warns against using dye-stained money as it is of no value and may land you in trouble because it may have been looted from ATMs during the civil unrest.
Sabric said hundreds of ATMs were destroyed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal during the riots and this is now hampering the ability of bank customers to access cash and other financial services.
ALSO READ: Rovers and community come together to help SPCA
“ATMs hold cash in special containers that protect cash with dye-stain technology that is activated when someone tries to break open the container. Once activated, the cash is stained with a green dye, thus defacing the notes, rendering them unusable as currency.
“The stained notes are recognised as having no monetary value once they are stained. People who have these notes make themselves suspects of a criminal investigation that will seek to determine if they were involved in the stealing and unauthorised access of these ATM containers,” explained Sabric CEO Nischal Mewalall.
Sabric has noticed an increase in the attempted circulation of dye-stained notes in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, following the destruction of multiple ATMs.
“The people of South Africa are cautioned against accepting these dye-stained notes as legal tender as the onward use and value of these notes will not be honoured. You may also find yourself out of pocket after releasing goods or performing services because you will not be able to utilise the currency you were paid with. In addition, you also run the risk of being investigated, arrested and prosecuted for the destruction of these ATMs.”
Sabric, therefore, encourages people not to transact using dye-stained notes and report any person in possession of these notes to the SAPS on 08600 10111.
Also follow us on:
