Members of the public are warned by police not to carry large amounts of cash. They should instead consider options that are lower risk, such as carrying as little cash as possible and considering making use of cell-phone banking and Internet transfers to pay accounts.
This warning comes in the wake of recent incidents where people have been robbed of their cash or even killed.
A warning has been issued to prevent such incidents in future. Below are some tips that will help minimise the chances of being the victim of a robbery:
TIPS TO AVOID BEING THE VICTIM OF A CASH ROBBERY:
- Alternate the days / times at which you deposit cash
- Refrain from making cash deposits
- Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you
- Do not openly display the money you are depositing while you are standing in the bank queue
- Avoid carrying money bags / briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt book
- It is advisable to identify another branch nearby that you can visit to ensure that your banking pattern is not easily recognisable or detected
- If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grows, consider using the services of a cash management company
- Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public; rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank
- Refrain from driving to the bank in your company-branded vehicle on a typical ‘pay day’
- Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to your contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.
Police would also like to warn all Stokvel members to take extra precautions when dealing with large amounts of cash, as these types of cases are prevalent during the festive season when members are sharing money. Members can arrange with their bank and deposit the cash into their accounts.
