Midrand police communications officer Matome Tlamela said, “The complainant was about to withdraw money at an ATM in Vorna Valley when she was suddenly approached by an unknown man who told her that the machine was not working.
“While the suspect was talking to her, another unknown man approached the ATM. After a few minutes both of the suspects left the complainant at the ATM.”
The complainant then noticed that her bank cards were missing and another member of the public, who was behind her, told her that the two men had just robbed
her.
The complainant called the police and the suspects were followed to Carlswarld Lifestyle Centre. The complainant then pointed out the suspects to the police.
“The police searched one of the suspects and a lot of bank cards that did not belong to him were recovered, including the complainant’s card. The suspect was immediately arrested and will face charges of common robbery,” said Tlamela.
An unrelated suspect was apprehended by a Ria Sebetsa Security Services guard at an ATM at Waterfall Park.
An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said the security guard saw two men in a VW Polo pull up to the ATM on 28 November. Thereafter a person was robbed. Early on 29 November, the vehicle with the same two men drove into Waterfall Park again; the security guard identified the men and called a cleaner to assist him in apprehending the suspects.
Ria Sebetsa’s armed response vehicle arrived and members of the community also assisted to apprehend the suspects until the police arrived.
Tlamela said one of the men was arrested for common robbery.
One of Midrand Reporter’s BBM contacts, Sbu, alerted Midrand Reporter to the aforementioned incident as it was happening. He said many of the community members that gathered around the man had had their cards stolen at the ATM and they showed their anger towards the suspect.
Midrand police issued the following tips to prevent being robbed at an ATM:
- Be aware of your surroundings when using the ATM.
- Never give your card or PIN (Personal Identification Number) to anyone, for any reason.
- Don’t write your PIN on the card or anything that is kept with the card.
- Do not insert your card until asked to do so by the display screen.
- Never use an ATM with a blank screen and/or if the ATM is obscured from view or poorly lit.
- Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield to make sure no one sees you keying in your pin.
- Make sure you keep your hand over the card slot to ensure no one can swop or take your card.
- Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. You should be wary of strangers asking for help.
- Criminals work in teams: one to distract you while the other steals your card or money.
- If your card is retained (swallowed) by the ATM it is advisable to phone your bank’s toll-free stop card line immediately and stop your card.
- 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 stopped.
- Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminal activities and therefore cannot help you with transactions.
q If you need help, ask a bank official.
q It is advisable to set a daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch.
