Man’s pension stolen in 10 minutes
Selection Park resident Johann Dippenaar (67) was a victim of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card scam in the CBD on Friday.
He claims many thieves are using external devices to either confiscate the bank card or to gain access to the card holder’s pin number.
When he arrived at the ATM, he tried to enter his bank card into the slot of the ATM but a 10c coin prevented his card from entering the slot.
The man behind Dippenaar immediately offered his assistance and produced a piece of wire before removing the coin from the slot.
Dippenaar says it was when he tried to draw money again, that he noticed the reading on the screen asked for a ‘voucher pin’.
Again he was assisted by the man behind him.
“When I realised my effort to withdraw money was pointless, I cancelled the transaction, but my card stayed in the machine,” he says.
Dippenaar immediately reported the incident to his bank and was informed that an amount of R500 had already been withdrawn from his account at the same ATM.
He says the bank staff were helpful and friendly.
The case has been reported to the bank’s fraudulent department who promised to investigate the matter.
He believes his experience should serve as an example to others to be vigilant when they withdraw money at an ATM.
“Never think it will never happen to you, because I believe it can happen to anyone ” he concludes.
Tips to prevent ATM theft:
1. Use ATMs you are familiar with and do not use ATMs in secluded areas or late at night.
2. Become familiar with your bank’s ATM and be able to recognize changes to the machine.
3. Always cover your one hand with the other hand while keying in the PIN number.
4. Use ATM machines inside banks rather than on the street.
5. When at an unfamiliar ATM machine that is not inside a bank, examine it carefully for devices. Card or cash trapping devices need to be glued or taped to the card reader or cash dispenser.
6. Look for ‘extra’ cameras beyond the basic and generally obvious ATM security camera.
7. Never use an ATM machine when other people are lingering.
8. Report any suspicious activity or tampering at the ATM to your bank immediately.
9. If you can, don’t leave the machine, instead call the bank from the ATM where your card was taken using a cellphone.
10. Don’t use ATM machines with warnings posted on the machine.
11. Check the card scanner slot and give it a wiggle. Often skimming devices are false panels that can be detected and will come loose.
12. Never rely on the help from strangers or allow anyone to interfere with your transaction.
