Carrying large sums of cash can expose residents to the risk of being robbed.
The acting communications officer from the Edenvale SAPS, Warrant Officer Jean Olckers, issued several tips for residents to consider when the need arises to carry large amounts of money.
Stay safe:
- Try to carry as little cash on you as possible.
- Pay accounts electronically.
- Consider the convenience of electronic transactions such as internet banking as well as cellular phone banking.
Small businesses that make use of cash:
- Deposit money as often as possible.
- Alternate the days you deposit money.
- Keep your bank visits secret. Do not tell anyone who doesn’t need to know.
- Do not openly display the money you are carrying.
- Carry the money in an inconspicuous case or bag that won’t attract attention.
- If the amount of money in the deposits starts growing, make use of cash management companies.
- Pay wages to casual and day workers out of public sight.
- Refrain from travelling to and from the bank in company branded vehicles.
- Make use of electronic services to pay workers.
Stokvels and saving clubs:
- Members depositing the group’s cash should refrain from doing so on high-risk days such as the Monday after month-end.
- Arrange for the immediate deposit of the cash from the individuals themselves. This can be done through electronic banking.
- Arrange for the pay-outs from the group to the individuals to be done electronically, where the money is transferred from the group’s account to the individual’s account.
