WATCH: Be vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs
To avoid becoming a victim of theft or robbery at an ATM, here are some tips from the police
THE festive season is upon us and members of the public are warned against falling victim to crime.
Saps has already urged the public to be vigilant when locking vehicles in parking lots, as remote jamming is again on the rise, but the same vigilance must be applied when using ATMs.
A video is circulating on social media platforms, showing people being robbed at gunpoint after withdrawing cash from ATMs.
Be vigilant when withdrawing cash, and only do so when absolutely necessary.
To avoid becoming a victim of theft or robbery, here are some tips from the police.
Safety tips at the ATM:
• Be alert and conscious of your surroundings
• Never give your card or PIN code to anyone
• Don’t write your PIN on the card or on anything that is kept with the card
• Don’t insert your card until prompted 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 one
• Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield to ensure no one sees you keying in your PIN
• Keep your hand over the card slot to ensure nobody can swap or take your card
• Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM
• Criminals work in teams – one to distract you while the other steals your card or money
• If your card is swallowed by the ATM, it is advisable to cancel the card immediately
• Never allow a bystander to call the toll-free stop card line on your behalf – they could be tricking you into thinking your card has been cancelled
• Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminal activities and 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
