Banking: be a step ahead of criminals
A special business luncheon was held at the Krugersdorp Rotary Club where the latest schemes and scams related to banking were discussed.
The Krugersdorp Rotary Club organised a business luncheon to remind people about the scams and schemes related to banking.
Susan Potgieter, General Manager of the Commercial Crime Office at Sabric, a non-profit company mandated to support the banking industry of the country in their continuing fight against organised crime, was the speaker at the event.
She spoke specifically about ATM and bank card scams and schemes.
“ATM and bank card crimes are so intertwined. Many people think because they have a micro-chipped card they cannot fall victim. They need to be made aware that they too are gullible,” says Potgieter.
“While we have micro-chipped cards, a very secure piece of technology, we still have a magnetic strip on the back of the card.”
Therefore people should still be aware of the scams around it.
“We as a country have progressed well with technology such as having chip-enabled ATMs.”
Potgieter says the sad reality is, however, as the banks roll out new technology, the criminals change their game plan. They have found that they go back to the old and tried schemes and scams.
“If you ever have a situation where your card has been swallowed by the ATM, do not leave the machine before you have cancelled your card,” says Potgieter.
“If you don’t do it, I can promise you even before you have reached your car or are back inside the shop, the card will be used.”
Criminals put a piece of plastic inside the ATM that traps the card and at that moment one thinks the card has been swallowed.
Potgieter gives the following tips to ensure that your are not swindled out of all your hard-earned money:
• Check your daily limits: this should be as low as you can live with because if you fall victim to crime at least the criminal only will be able to get that much money.
• Get SMS notifications: this is a must, because when the transaction are being done you will be able to notify your bank of fraudulent use of your account.
• Don’t allow interference: when doing a card transaction, don’t let anyone interfere with you at the ATM as these people (even someone who is well dressed) can get viable information about your account such as the pin number.
• Know your ATM: if a customer makes it their business to know his or her ATM, the customer will know about any changes, even slightly, made to the ATM. Criminals make use of ATMs to hide skimming devices and cameras to get important information about your account.
• Don’t fall prey to internet and SMS scams: the internet is Christmas in July for criminals. If you received an SMS notifying you that you have won money in a competition that you have not entered don’t respond.
• Check your bank statements: criminals can get your money in different ways. Make sure to check your bank statements for any debit orders that you have not authorised.
