If something is too good to be true then it probably is

Witbank Station Commander Brig Sifiso Cele sends a message to all the community members of Emalahleni to be aware of scammers. He says a number of dockets have been opened at the Police Station in relation to fraud as such Brig Cele warns the community to keep confidential information to themselves.

“If something is too good to be true then it probably is,” said Brig Cele.

A number of scams have been rotating around with the common one that most people have been receiving through text messages, emails and phone calls that they have won a certain amount of money from a competition they allegedly entered. They then tell you to deposit 10% of the amount you won to them which they say is admin fee. As soon as you deposit the money they will call time and time again and demand more money, they do not stop until they milk you dry.
A text message from scammers would read as thus “Congratulations! Your mobile number was randomly selected in a car competition, you have won R950 000. Call Apple Banana on: 0123456789 to claim your prize. Ref no: Car1234”.

Another incident will that be of you being called where they tell you, you have won a car and they want to deliver it to your house as a result they request your house address. In most cases they call in the morning knowing you will be at work, and since you gave them your house address, they then make a turn at your house, break in and steal your belongings.

Tips on how to be safe from scammers

1) When withdrawing money, hide your bank pin. This would prevent people from seeing your pin code and cloning your card.
2) Never give out your personal information to people on the phone, text message or email who allege to be working for a certain company.
3) Should someone come to your house and claim they are police officials and demand to search your house, ask for their permit which should clearly state their company name, position and employment number.
4) Avoid doing your shopping during month end because that is when they target people.

“Incidents of this nature usually occur during month end because this is the time they know people definitely have money and spend it carelessly. Please be safe and keep private information to yourself,” pleaded Brig Cele.