Two scams plaguing north residents
The latest scam involves people claiming to be police officials.
A number of people have reported an increase of scams to police in recent weeks.
One scam involves a call to a resident to verify their banking and personal details over the phone.
The acting station commissioner of Sinoville SAPS, Lieutenant-Colonel Alet Pratt, is urging the public to be aware and vigilant when it comes to scammers targeting the community.
“Victims are requested to provide personal and banking details which include ID numbers, bank account numbers and PIN numbers for verification and updating of details over the phone. Only for the victim to realise later that funds have been withdrawn from their account,” Pratt explains.
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“We would like to warn the community members that no bank operates in this manner. If you want to update your banking details, you have to do so at the information desk inside the bank. You should never disclose your personal details to any person or banking official.”
Pratt also told Rekord about a new scam doing the rounds, involving persons claiming to be legitimate police officials.
“We’ve noticed an increase in scams where people’s cars are stolen, and after they report the theft, they are contacted by people claiming to be police officials, indicating that the stolen vehicle had been retrieved. The assailants claim to complete the process of returning the car to the owner, and to minimise damage to the vehicle, an amount must be paid over for towing costs to deliver the vehicle at the owner’s home.
“We would like to inform the community that all recovered stolen vehicles must be taken to the vehicle pounds by SAPS for further investigation and that the complaint does not have any financial obligations towards recovery and transportation of the vehicle.”
It is requested that you contact your investigation official or your nearest police station for further investigation.
“Our community’s safety and wellbeing is our priority and no stone will be left unturned to protect our communities,” Pratt concludes.
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