The Din-Al-View CPF is warning residents that the holiday season is close and crime has definitely increased in the area.
They urge residents to be particularly careful when using ATMs.
When you do your transaction at the machine, read carefully what is on the screen and follow the prompts.
Don’t select options from memory.
Be vigilant when drawing money at any ATM.
If possible, have a trustworthy friend accompany you so that you have someone watching out for you if anything happens.
Look around you before approaching the ATM.
Identify any suspicious loiterers.
If any are present, return later and check if the same people are still loitering in the vicinity.
They may be waiting for an opportunity to steal from you, or may be passing information to someone else using their cellphone.
ATMs also often have a mirror above the machine, giving a view of people behind you — make use of it.
Check the actual ATM before drawing or depositing money.
Check to see if there is another mirror or any reflective surface that could be used to view the keypad from a distance.
This is usually near the card slot.
Also check for any additional attachments to the card slot – it may be a skimming device.
Sometimes certain keypad buttons are jammed with a foreign object like a matchstick or pin.
Avoid using this ATM, especially if the “cancel” key does not depress.
Bits of X-ray film in the card slot can allow insertion of the card, but prevent ejection.
If your card is “swallowed” by the ATM, do not leave the machine without phoning the bank helpline – the number is on the ATM.
Don’t draw money at an ATM machine if there is a long queue and it does not move away from the machine.
When it is your turn to draw money, see that you are the only person in front of the machine.
Stand straight in front of the machine.
If the people are too close ask them to please move backwards, away from you; if that does not help take your card out of the machine and call the security guard to assist.
There are security guards at most shopping centres and shops.
They can assist with the queues only, not transactions.
If you are busy drawing money and feel uneasy, cancel the transaction immediately and go elsewhere.
Do not accept assistance from anyone, even if they are security guards.
If you are not sure what to do, rather go into a bank and the staff there will assist you; it will cost a bit more, but rather be safe than sorry.
If anyone approaches you or attempts to touch the keypad during your transaction, press the cancel button.
Do not write your PIN on a piece of paper that someone could obtain, or on your card.
If you are depositing money, ensure you have the money ready to put into the machine before you approach the machine.
If you are drawing money count it in front of you while you are at the machine and immediately put it into your wallet.
Walk away from the ATM by a circuitous route, and check if anyone is following.
Possibly enter a shop and leave immediately to detect followers.
Keep your daily withdrawal limit as low as practical; if your card is stolen, the thief will be able to draw only that amount.
If you need a larger amount you can change the limit at the ATM and, once having done so, decrease the limit immediately after the transaction.
It is quick and easy to do if this option is available.
Do your normal banking via online banking or cellphone banking.
That way avoids the use of any ATM.
If you usually receive SMS notifications or requests for transaction verification on you cellphone, be very suspicious if you receive many calls that are cancelled by the caller.
They may want you to switch your phone off in frustration, so they can perform a SIM swop and have access to your cellphone messages.
Stay safe and be extra vigilant over this festive season.
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