Newcastle SAPS offers tips to safeguard yourself over the festive period.
It’s about that time of year when members of the community look forward to spending their hard-earned money with their loved ones during the holiday season.
Regrettably, this is also the period when organised criminals will try to carry out their nefarious schemes, which may include conducting robberies.
This was confirmed once again recently when a string of robberies was reported to the Newcastle police station.
As a precaution, Lizzy Arumugam of the Newcastle SAPS Communications Department advises community members to avoid carrying large amounts of cash, particularly those who have been saving money through stokvel organisations or societies.
According to Arumugam, two types of crimes continue to be prevalent: first, victims are followed out of banks after making a cash withdrawal.
“Consumers are followed to their homes, places of employment, vehicles, or any other location where they can be easily robbed after withdrawing money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM).”
Second, in the case of bank branches, it is clear that “spotters” continue to operate and convey the victims’ descriptions to accomplices waiting outside the bank.
Small business owners are equally vulnerable, especially when taking out funds to pay weekly workers.
“Most robberies include armed robbers who will use violence if the victim refuses. Robberies like this don’t just happen in cities; they also happen in rural places.”
Instead of carrying huge sums of cash, Arumugam said there were safer alternatives such as internet transfers or mobile banking.
Members of the community are encouraged to use the following techniques to protect themselves and lessen their chances of becoming victims:
- Carry as little money as you can.
“Consider how convenient it would be to pay your bills electronically (consult your bank to find out about other available options).”
- To do your banking, consider using cell phone banking, online transfers, or ATMs.
- Even if you’re close to someone, never make your bank trips public.
- Change up the days and times you deposit cash.
- While waiting in line at the bank, do not blatantly exhibit the money you are depositing.
“Avoid bringing moneybags, briefcases, or displaying your deposit receipt book in plain sight.”
- To ensure that your banking routine is not instantly recognisable or noticed, it is a good idea to find another branch nearby.
“Consider hiring the services of a cash management company if the amount of money you deposit on a regular basis is increasing as your business expands.”
- Instead of paying your contract or casual laborers in full front of the public, use wage accounts provided by your bank.
“Consider setting up electronic wage transfers to the personal bank accounts of contract or casual workers,” Arumugam concluded.
