Penny Steyn educates Parkview domestics about identity theft

PARKVIEW – Domestic workers learn about the dangers of identity theft.

October 4, 2018

Sarah Koning 1 minute read

Domestic workers socialise following the Domestic Watch meeting. Photo: Sarah Koning

Domestic workers gathered at St Columba’s Presbyterian Church in Parkview on 28 September to learn more about identity theft.

The Domestic Watch, run by Penny Steyn, has been seeing a downturn in attendance over the past few months at their venue in Parkview.

Steyn encouraged those in attendance to exercise caution when destroying personal documents due to the prevalence of identity theft in South Africa.

She also cautioned domestics to be vigilant when withdrawing money from ATMs, where theft often takes place.

Domestic workers gain insight into the crime of identity theft at the Domestic Watch meeting in Parkview. Photo: Sarah Koning

Steyn told the story of a young man who was on the way to a funeral when he was arrested at the border of South Africa and Zimbabwe for having R2,5million in his possession that was shown to be stolen by him. “Identity theft is a real and serious problem. This man was not employed.

“Always burn documents you would like to throw away. You don’t want to end up in a situation where someone else steals your identity. This can be done through being in possession of your ID, passport, refugee card, birth certificate or bank statement.”

She also shared a presentation about a social savings platform known as ADDaBIT.

Sylvia Ndabeni who works in Parkview said, “I enjoy Penny’s lessons. She teaches us to protect ourselves and makes me happy and aware.”

Anna Tsotetsi from Westcliff echoed Ndabeni’s sentiments adding that she joins the lessons to find out how to protect herself from criminals.