POLOKWANE – An SMS linked to a bank account was the only indication for two Polokwane residents that they were the victims of a crime.
Jacques Steenkamp, a businessman in the city, recently completed a transaction at one of the banks in a popular Polokwane mall. Because he did not use his bank card regularly, he simply placed the card in his pocket and never gave it a second thought.
On Monday, November 18, he was alerted by an SMS that money was withdrawn from his account.
“At first I thought there must have been some mistake, but after the second and third SMS, I realised that something was terribly wrong and rushed to look for my bank card. It was missing.
By the fourth SMS, I was able call the number to stop my card, but by that time I had been taken for R12 000,” he explained.
Ruth Tladi also went to a mall in the city to do some shopping and also stopped at one of the banks there to complete some transactions.
She said she usually keeps her bank card in her handbag and left the handbag in the shopping trolley while she was busy with some purchases.
Tladi was awoken the next morning at 03:00 by four SMS notices, notifying her that R20 000 was withdrawn from her bank account.
“I was still unsure of what was happening when I phoned the lost card division of my bank and stopped my card. Looking through my handbag, I realised that my bank card was missing as was my purse.
“I am still not sure when my purse went missing, but I believe it must have happened while my trolley was standing in one of the shops before I went home,” she said.
Spokesperson for the Limpopo police, Col Ronél Otto, said at this time of year, with the festive season just around the corner, many cases of theft and robbery was reported to the police.
She said most of these cases could have been prevented if the victims were aware of their surroundings at all times.
“It is important to be aware of where your purse, wallet and bank cards are at all times, especially at this time of year. Be very vigilant and make sure that you are not followed when lea-ving an ATM or bank,” she said.
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A manager of one of the Absa banks in the city, …….. …………., told Review that the banks warn all their clients to be careful with their wallets and money when withdrawing money at any ATM.
“We have security personnel at svery bank in the city, but they can only do so much. The responsibility lies with the public to look after their money when they leave the bank,” she said.
…………… also advised residents to report lost or stolen bank cards immediately to prevent money being withdrawn from their accounts illegally.
Report lost or stolen cards at the following numbers:
Standard Bank – 0800 020 600
Absa – 0800 11 11 55
Capitec – 0860 10 20 43
Nedbank – 0800 110 929
FNB – 086 011 2244
