Stay vigilant this festive season

Communications officer at Vosloorus Police Station Capt Piet Rossouw shared some tips with Kathorus MAIL readers as to how to stay safe from criminals.

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He said in Vosloorus police experience more robberies that are committed and being reported.

“We ask the help of the community to be vigilant,” said Rossouw.

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

• 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 or internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking.

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

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 minimize the chances of being a victim of robberies.

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

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

• Don’t openly display the money you are depositing while you are waiting 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.

• 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 arranging for electronic transfers of wages to your contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.

Tips to avoid being a victim of cash robberies for savings clubs and stokvels.

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If you are a member of a cash savings club, advise members of your club of the following tips that will assist your club from being victims of cash robberies:

• Refrain from making cash deposits of club members’ contributions on high-risk days, for example, Monday after month end.

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

• 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 payout to be electronically transferred into each club member’s personal account or accounts of their choice.