East consumers warned of scams this festive season
In one incident, two ladies pretending to be employees at a shop approached an elderly shopper and gave her a bank card and PIN claiming she could use it to pay for her groceries.
As part of looking after the safety of customers, shopping malls and the public at large, on Tuesday the Mamelodi West police launched a safety awareness campaign for the festive season.
Spokesperson Johannes Maheso said the purpose of the campaign was to give the public safety tips for shopping at malls.
“We had several incidents whereby the consumers are becoming victims of scams during the festive seasons whereby their hard-earned money or properties are easily and without force taken away from them.”
ALSO READ: East police warn against property scam
Criminals have run many scams to rob consumers either by phone or in person at the malls.
“In one incident an unsuspecting victim was phoned telephonically by a person claiming to be an employee of the victim‘s bank and alleged that he or she wanted to assist the victim in stopping unnecessary deduction from the victim’s bank account,”
In doing so the victim was given a reference number to punch into her cellphone and a few minutes later money was transferred out of her account.”
In another incident two ladies pretending to be employees at a certain shop approached an elderly shopper at Denlyn Mall. They gave her a bank card and PIN claiming she could use it to pay for her groceries.
They then asked the lady to hand over her handbag as surety. While she was gone, they vanished and the bank card payment was declined.”
Maheso said there were many similar scams perpetrated at malls.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Don’t fall for Sassa grocery voucher scam
The police also warned the public about robberies, assaults, theft from vehicles, house burglaries and robberies at ATMs.
He further said the police and the CPF would patrol the malls to up visibility.
Maheso said the Mamelodi police handed out pamphlets with safety tips to shoppers at the malls.
– Do not try to buy things through the back door.
– Do not listen to anybody who claim to be a fortune teller, even if he claims that you are going to die.
– Do not give your personal details over the phone.
– Do not buy things in the street or outside the shop even if the person claims to be representing a particular shop or company.
ALSO READ: Cop impersonator scams stolen vehicle victims in the east
Maheso advised shoppers to approach mall security or the police at the mall if they needed assistance.
Mall manager Clifford Modishane said: “I am very happy with the awareness campaign and that there are more police and CPF visibility at the Mall.”
“This must not be a once-off campaign for the festive season, it should be practiced every day because crime is happening every day,” said Modishane.
He advised the consumers to shop wisely and not forget to keep money aside for January.
He said the mall had made special arrangements to protect shoppers.
ALSO READ: SANDF warns of online job scam
“The consumers must always be vigilant around ATMs and always be wary of people asking for assistance. He advised consumers to seek assistance inside the bank and from mall security guards.
Residents were also encouraged to report any crime to 10111.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
