Police provide safety tips for using ATMs
LINDEN – You've worked hard for your money, so protect it from criminals.
Many community members are likely to find themselves in bank lines or queuing at the ATMs at the end of the month.
The South African Police Service emphasised the importance of staying vigilant and aware of your surroundings while drawing cash or leaving banks with large amounts of money.
The station offered the following tips:
• Be alert and conscious of your surroundings when using the ATM
• Never give your card or PIN to anyone
• Don’t write your PIN on the card or anything that is kept with the card.
• Do not insert your card until asked to do so by the display screen.
• Never use an ATM with a blank screen. If the ATM is obscured from view or poorly lit, leave immediately and find another ATM.
• Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield to make sure nobody sees you keying in your PIN.
• Keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swop or take your card.
• Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. You should be wary of strangers asking for help.
• Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminal activities and cannot help with transactions. For help, ask a bank official.
• Criminals often work in teams – one to distract you while the other steals your card or money.
• If your card is retained (swallowed) by the ATM, it is advisable to phone your bank’s toll-free stop card line immediately and stop your card – never allow a bystander to call the stop card line on your behalf.
• It is advisable to set a daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch.
