THE Durban North SAPS has urged residents to be vigilant and not to accept strangers’ help while at an ATM. This comes after three incidents of card-swapping last week at three different ATMs in the north. Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the station, confirmed that collectively, the residents had R9 500 withdrawn from their accounts. The largest of the withdrawals was R6 000 from a Swapo Road (Broadway) machine.
It is believed card-swapping syndicates are operating in the area and that many of them were now using women to distract potential victims. The card-swapping technique involves distracting the card holder as they enter their PIN number and subsequently swapping and stealing the card itself in the ensuing confusion.
“We believe there are five or six people involved in the groups. The accomplices wait in queues and shoulder surf and watch as you type on the keypad before one of them forcefully tries to help the resident. In some of the incidents, women are now being used to distract ATM customers, which is new. In the past it has been male suspects who have overpowered and barged their way in,” he said.
There have been more than 10 cases in the area in recent months.
“Criminals often distract you when you are making an ATM transaction in order to create an opportunity to steal from you. It’s over in under a minute. If someone is standing too close to you, you are well within their rights to ask them to step back. It’s also important to guard the keypad. If you see anything suspicious or feel intimidated, contact the police or cancel the transaction,” he said.
Deokaran asked residents to register for the notify service which several banks offer, which automatically sends an SMS to customers when there is any activity on their accounts, such as withdrawals, debit orders and credit card purchases.
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