Card cloning on the rise at Ballito shopping centre ATMs
It is suspected that a group of three to five men are involved in the scam.
Umhlali police have warned people to vigilant when using the ATMs in shopping centres around Ballito.
Umhlali SAPS spokesperson, Vinny Pillay said there had been many cases of card cloning.
“While people are withdrawing money, they are distracted by two men. One will spark up a conversation while the other will swap the card that is inserted into the machine with another one,” he said.
Pillay said they usually do this just after a person withdraws money as they wait to watch them key in their pin code.
It is suspected that a group of three to five men are involved in the scam
“It is a serious issue. One man lost R5000 last week. His card was swapped at an ATM and about 15 minutes later, the money was drawn out of another machine just down the road.”
Pillay said the incidents take place between five and seven in the afternoon. He advised people to pay attention to their surroundings when they withdraw cash.
“Do not be distracted by anyone at the ATM and try not to go to the ATM alone or when it is quiet,” he said.
Umhlali police are working with centre security to identify the men through CCTV footage.
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