Almost R12 000 stolen from man after ATM fraud
ATM safety tips shared to help the public keep their money safe.
Linden Police Station is urging the public not to fall for attempts to defraud or steal their money after a recent case was opened at the station.
According to the spokesperson, Sergeant Takalani Sibiya this is one of the many cases they are currently investigating.
In this case, a man had R11 999 stolen from him. Sibiya said, “The complainant alleged that he withdrew R3 000 at an ATM. After the transaction, he walked away but was stopped by another man who informed him the machine was stuck and required him to complete his transaction. The man went back, put his card in the ATM and put in his pin but the card would not come out of the machine. When he looked for the suspect who called him, he had disappeared.”
Shortly after this happened the man received a notification that R2 000 was withdrawn from that card followed by R9 999 being spent at a hardware store.
“We urge the community not to listen to anyone who isn’t a bank employee while using an ATM nor to ask a member of the public for assistance when using the machine. Do not allow anyone to offer you help, especially once you are done with your transaction.”
Furthermore, the police offered the following ATM safety tips to keep people and their money safe:
- Be alert and conscious of your surroundings when using the ATM
- Never give your card or pin to anyone, for any reason
- Do not 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 or problematic screen
- Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. 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
- If you need help, ask a bank official.
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