TRICHARDT – Police warn the public about the tendency of a group of two or three men who wait for a victim to approach an ATM and target them.
“They will point a firearm at the victim and force him to place his card into the machine and to enter his pin number,” said Capt Busaphi Sibinyoni.
“The transaction would then be cancelled and the men would take off with the card.
“Minutes later your money will be withdrawn from another ATM.”
According to Capt Sibinyoni the men are driving a dark colour Corsa Bakkie with an unknown registration number.
Capt Sibinyoni said: “If possible, avoid using an ATM in the early morning or at night.
“Use ATMs during office hours when a security guard is present.
“Scan the area before you approach an ATM and avoid using it if there are suspicious looking people or vehicles around.
“If the ATM appears to have attachments to the card slot keypad, do not use the ATM and inform the bank thereof.”
Capt Sibinyoni said: “Do not accept help from strangers and never give your pin number to anyone, even people claiming to be bank employees or security guards.
“Criminals work in teams; one will distract you, while the other one steals your card.
“If you fall victim to such a crime, try and obtain as many as possible identification clues to assist the police in identifying the criminals,” said Capt Sibinyoni.
Contact the police at 017 638 0241.
