One Centurion resident is fed up with crime in the area and is taking to the streets to vent her anger and frustration.
Louise Grobbelaar, a resident of Lyttelton was the target of an ATM scammer on Friday morning.
“I was drawing money from an ATM in Cantonments Street in Lyttelton at 05:45 on Friday morning when my card did not want to register in the ATM. A man who was standing close by then approached me, took my card out of my hand, and claimed he would show me how to insert the card properly,” Grobbelaar said.
He then stood back after he claimed to have inserted her card and told her to enter her pin. According to Grobbelaar, the man was neatly dressed and she did not suspect him of any malice, believing that he wanted to help. After she had entered her pin, Grobbelaar claims the man then casually walked away.
“I then saw that I could not do anything at the ATM and realised that the man had just stolen my card and checked what my PIN was. I rushed home to my husband so that we could phone and report the card as stolen, but before we could, the man had spent all my money in two different transactions, and now I am unable to pay any of my bills.”
On Friday afternoon, in an attempt to not only warn other residents, but also collect donations to help her get through the month, Grobbelaar made a cardboard sign, warning others and asking for donations.
“I am not a beggar,” said Grobbelaar.
“I am just another victim of crime, and not for the first time. I think we can all say we are sick and tired of crime, and need to stand together to be able to finally eradicate it from our society.”
Grobbelaar added that she hoped others would also learn from what happened to her, and be careful at ATMs.
ATM scams were prevalent across the country as Hannes du Buisson, of Centurion Concerned Citizens, had previously also warned against this.
“ATM scamming is still a big problem and people need to be careful when going to an ATM. Never accept help if someone offers it at an ATM, they are most likely trying to scam you.”
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