Avoid becoming a target of criminals and scammers this festive season

Authorities have warned members of the community to be on high alert when they are out and about. Bank card scams increase dramatically during this season and the community is advised to be cautious while withdrawing money. Syndicates in Limpopo target isolated ATMs in shopping complexes where they pretend to help people. In the process, they exchange cards without the victim noticing it immediately.

They then run to ATMs which do not have CCTV cameras to withdraw money from there. Sgt Maurice Nkhwashu of Tzaneen Police Station told the Herald that residents must not trust anyone offering to help them at ATMs. “These syndicates are mostly well dressed and spoken, therefore only allow the security guards who work at the ATMs to help you instead. Some even dress as security guard officers,” he said.

Also read: Scammers target police candidates

“Rather go inside the branch and ask for assistance if you are struggling with a transaction,” he said. He gave the following tips: • Avoid overcrowded spaces, it is easy to get robbed in such places. • Don’t put your handbag inside a trolley while doing shopping • At an ATM, refuse to exchange money with anyone requesting change as they normally exchange it for fake notes (money). • Refuse to help anyone who asks you to give them cash saying they will transfer the money to your account because of long queues.

• People going on holiday must post their vacation photos after they return home. Photos on social media can alert criminals to the fact that there is no one at home. • Don’t walk next to cash-intransit vehicles. If a robbery were to take place, you might get in the firing line. Nkhwashu said criminals also target stokvel groups by robbing them of their hardearned cash which they saved throughout the year.

Also read: Hitchhiker robbed at gunpoint

He said there have been reports of people being robbed of their stokvel money on their way back from withdrawing their money at the bank. There have also been incidents at retail shops of stokvel group members being approached while queuing to buy their groceries. “They were approached by people who pretended to be staff members at the store and requested them to hand over the money and then fled the scene,” said Nkhwashu.