PROVINCIAL police are warning residents not to carry large amounts of cash after a recent spate of robberies outside banks. Earlier this month, a man was robbed of R30 000 outside a Broadway (Swapo Road) bank when going to deposit money.
Provincial SAPS spokesman, Lt Col Thulani Zwane, said, “We urge residents to consider options that are lower risk or carry as little cash as possible and consider making use of cellphone banking and internet transfers to pay accounts or ATMs to do the banking. There have been recent incidents where people are being robbed of their cash or even killed.
“We would also like to warn all stokvel members to take extra precautions when dealing with large amounts of cash as these types of cases are very prevalent during the festive season when members are sharing money. The members can arrange with the banks and deposit their cash into their accounts. Community members should not withdraw large amount of cash,” Zwane said.
Read also: Glenhills resident warns of ATM thieve’s techniques
Tips to avoid falling victim to cash syndicates
- Alternate the days and times on which you deposit cash.
- Refrain from making cash deposits.
- 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 displaying 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.
- 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.
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