Tips against cash robbery

“It is a known fact that at this time of the year we experience many cash robberies and that stokvel groups are targeted.

Lately more robberies are being committed and reported in Vosloorus. We asked our partner Kathorus MAIL to help us combat crime by appealing to the community to be vigilant,” said Rossouw.

Below are some crime prevention tips that Rossouw shared.

Tips to avoid being a victim of cash robberies as an individual:

If you need to pay accounts, consider options that are lower risk instead of withdrawing large sums of cash.

• Carry as little cash as possible

• Consider the convenience of paying your accounts electronically (consult your bank to find out about other available options).

• Consider making use of cellphone banking, internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking.

Tips for businesses to avoid being a victim of cash robberies:

A small business which is cash-based and needs to deposit money on a regular basis at the bank should apply the following tips to minimise the chances of being a victim of robberies:

• Alternate the days and times on which you go to deposit cash.

• Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you.

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

• Avoid carrying money bags, briefcases or openly display your deposit receipt book.

• It’s advisable to identify another branch nearby that you can visit to ensure that your banking pattern is not easily recognisable or 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.

In order to carry cash safely;

• Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public. Rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank.

• Refrain from driving to the bank in your company branded vehicle on a typical ‘pay day’.

• Consider transferring wages electronically to your contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.

Tips to avoid being a victim of cash robberies at savings clubs and stokvels:

If you are a member of a cash savings club, advise members of your club of the following tips that will help them not to be victims to cash robberies:

• Refrain from making cash deposits of club members’ contributions on high risk days (e.g. Monday after month end).

• Ensure persons depositing club cash contributions or making withdrawals are accompanied by another club member/s.

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

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