Carry cash safely– safety tips at the ATM
JOBURG – Criminals are using different methods to keep you distracted while withdrawing your cash.
An easy task of withdrawing money at the ATM can become a risky task at any time of the day. A video doing the rounds on social media has highlighted a scary trend by criminals targeting unsuspecting victims.
Watch:
Be alert when withdrawing cash from an ATM. WATCH criminals are work… pic.twitter.com/CmEQlAn4pl
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 23, 2019
The man in the video does not even ask the woman if she needed help but starts ‘assisting’ her but in the meantime, he creates confusion trying to take the money or card from her.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has provided safety tips at the ATM to avoid being scammed or robbed:
- Never give your card or PIN( Personal Identification Number) to anyone, for any reason
- Your PIN number should not be written 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 and, 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
- Make sure you keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swap or take your card
- Do not accept help from strangers when using an ATM, be wary of strangers asking for help as well
- Criminals at times 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 toll-free stop card line for you – they could be tricking you into thinking your card has been stopped
- Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminal activities and therefore cannot help you with transactions
- If you need help, ask a bank official
- It is advisable to set a daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch.
For mall safety, be vigilant when in congested shops or shopping aisles where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pickpocketing. Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them, keep your handbag with you, keep it closed or zipped, and do not leave it unattended. Keep your mobile phone close to you and do not leave it unattended.
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