Crime awareness tips

Honeydew SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs warned community members against ATM scams and smash and grabs.

ATM and card fraud

• Always protect your pin at ATMs

• Be vigilant – carefully scan the area for suspicious characters

• Do not be fooled by people who are well-dressed and eloquent

• Fraudsters often pose as custodians of the bank

• Emphatically refuse any assistance offered by any person

• Do not allow people to look over your shoulder or press any of the keyboard keys of the ATM while you are busy

• If you are remotely suspicious, postpone using the ATM until it is safe to do so

• If you suspect your card has been compromised, cancel it immediately

• Check the machine for any attachments, often crooks would position skimming devices or pin-size cameras at the ATM to obtain your details

• If your card is not returned, check the ATM slot for a strip of x-ray material which is glued inside with the intention of “trapping” your card

• Do not allow your card to be swiped through any device.

Smash and grab

• Keep all the windows in your vehicle closed, and the doors locked while stationary at an intersection

• Keep valuable items out of sight

• Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious characters

• Be wary of people standing at intersections

• Never open your window to anyone

• Leave a space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you – it gives you space to move should you feel threatened

• Don’t talk on your cell phone – if you are distracted you can be seen as a potentially easy target.

Details: Honeydew SAPS, 011 801 8604.

Related articles:

How to report a missing person