“My card was retained by a Nedbank ATM at Boulders shopping mall on 23 September at about 5pm. There was a guy near the ATM who was on the phone reporting to someone on the other line that their card [had been] retained by the ATM and that they [would] do the deposit later. ”
Boxoza said there was another man nearby who kept trying to help her. He quickly left after she shouted at him to leave her alone and was calling to cancel her card.
“On 7 October at about 7.45pm, my husband went to a Standard Bank ATM at San Ridge Square shopping centre. There were two men, one was on the phone supposedly telling someone on the other line that the ATM was up to no good again.”
Her husband used the ATM and when it started jamming, the other man behind him kept insisting he press enter, she said. “He immediately called Standard Bank and blocked his card.”
As they were leaving the shopping centre, they spotted the two guys walking together towards a car. “I think these incidents are related,” said Boxoza.
San Ridge Square shopping centre’s Madeleine Smit could not comment on whether there indeed had been a syndicate operating in the area. She said the matter had not been reported to them.
Boulders shopping centre management had also not been notified of the incident, however their marketing manager, Melisandy Davids said,”We are not disputing the customer’s claims. We have placed security staff in these areas. Some of whom may not be wearing uniforms to try to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“We are aware of growing ATM crimes, not only at our shopping centre but with ATMS in general.”
She also urged customers and tenants to report all incidents that happen whilst shopping at the centre so that they can be assisted.
