Tips to protect your money this festive season
“Community is reminded that we are at that time of the year, where criminals are out to prey on victims and rob them of their valuable properties.”
With the festive holidays near, many people will be spoiling themselves and their families with holiday trips and shopping, while stokvel groups will withdraw and share their yearlong savings.
Police shared safety tips to help people protect their money during the Safer Festive Season awareness campaign held at the local shopping complex in Cullinan area recently.
Police spokesperson, Constable Connie Moganedi said the community is reminded that we are at that time of the year where criminals are out to prey on victims and rob them of their valuable properties.
Residents are urged to:
– be vigilant when you are at the bank’s Automated Teller Machines (ATM).
– Verify account number before you transact any cash.
– Memorise your PIN and store your card safely. Never keep your PIN and card together.
– Always watch your card at all till points, make sure you get your card back after every purchase.
– Never trust strangers or ask them for help at an ATM.
– Ask for privacy when the person behind you in the queue is too close while you enter your PIN or use the ATM.
– Use bank transfers to share social clubs (stokvel) money rather than to withdraw large sum of money in your possession.
– Beware of an online scam, don’t buy anything online without the verification of the source or its authenticity.
Moganedi further warned residents to be on the lookout for false prophets or fortune-tellers who pretend that they want to help people out of their problems.
“The criminals confuse unsuspecting people into giving them money or valuables. These false prophets have so many tricks and target unsuspecting shoppers at malls,” said Moganedi.
She further encouraged community members to promote neighbourhood watch by notifying your neighbour when leaving home.
Police encouraged the public to report any suspicious looking person to the police by dialling the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
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