The year is drawing to an end and many South Africans will be taking it easy during their well-deserved end-of-year holiday, but one portion of the population who will be working as hard as ever, are financial scammers.<\/p>\n
The festive season is traditionally big business for fraudsters and thieves because they are aware many people would have received their yearly bonuses and most are distracted by family festivities.<\/p>
Congested and noisy shopping centres in popular holiday towns are the perfect locations for these criminals to commit crimes and then disappear into the crowds.<\/p>\n
\u201cATM theft is one of the most prevalent financial crimes that occur at this time of the year,\u201d said Nitesh Patel, head of customer financial solutions and personal banking at Standard Bank.<\/p>
\u201cWhile banks work tirelessly throughout the year and even more so during the festive season to ensure that customer accounts remain safe, consumers must remain vigilant.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Illegal firearm and ammunition found in stove<\/a><\/p>\n Raising awareness about crime in Primrose<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to Patel, the most effective weapon against ATM-based fraud is to be alert and informed.<\/p>\n Below, he lists and explains the methods criminals use to access your money, and the steps to be taken to prevent such crimes:<\/p>\n The three most common forms of ATM crime:<\/p>\n \u2022 Card swapping: Criminals distract you while you are entering your PIN and then swap your card.<\/p>\n This is done so quickly that very often you are unaware that you no longer have your own card.<\/p>\n \u2022 Card skimming: This typically involves tampering with an ATM by placing an additional card reader over that of the ATM.<\/p>\n In conjunction with a hidden camera the fraudsters steal your card details and PIN number.<\/p>\n \u2022 Vandalism: ATMs are vandalised for two reasons:<\/p>\n –\u00a0To force you to use ATMs in poorly lit, quiet areas where it is easier to commit crime such as card swapping and\/or card skimming<\/p>\n –\u00a0To trap your card in the ATM\u2019s card reader, giving you the impression that the machine has ‘swallowed’ your card.<\/p>\n As a result the following could happen:<\/p>\n \u2022 You key in your PIN while being observed from a distance.<\/p>\n \u2022 The criminal offers you the use of a cellphone to cancel your card.<\/p>\n They will then dial an accomplice who claims to be a bank official and asks you for your PIN.<\/p>\n \u2022 The criminal advises you to key in your PIN and to press the cancel button to retrieve your card.<\/p>\n This, of course, won\u2019t happen, as your card is stuck.<\/p>\n While you are entering your PIN, the criminal memorises it and removes your card using a sharp object once you leave.<\/p>\n Ten security tips that can prevent ATM-related crimes:<\/p>\n \u2022 Never reveal your PIN to anyone and don\u2019t write it down \u2013 memorising it will lessen the chances of anybody else gaining access to your accounts.<\/p>\n \u2022 Shield the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN into an ATM.<\/p>\n \u2022 Only enter your PIN when prompted to do so by the ATM.<\/p>\n \u2022 Keep your daily cash withdrawal limit to a minimum.<\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t count or expose your money unnecessarily when depositing or withdrawing.<\/p>\n Enter and leave the ATM area as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n \u2022 Always be on the look-out for criminals and never accept help from strangers, even if they say they are bank employees or security guards.<\/p>\n If someone offers to help you, walk away from the ATM.<\/p>\n Check that the ATM is in a ready and good state.<\/p>\n Criminals will typically remove lost card and bank contact details from the ATM to delay you stopping your card.<\/p>\n \u2022 Only use ATMs in well-lit, high-traffic areas.<\/p>\n If the lights aren\u2019t working, don’t use that machine.<\/p>\n \u2022 Have your bank card ready and in your hands.<\/p>\n Opening your wallet or purse can be time consuming and provides a potential thief easier access to your valuables.<\/p>\n \u2022 Make sure the card you get back from the ATM after your transaction, is yours.<\/p>\n If it\u2019s not, call your bank immediately to cancel your card.<\/p>\n \u201cFinally, cancel your card immediately if it is lost, stolen or retained by the ATM, and please report anything unusual when using an ATM to your nearest branch, the police or to your bank\u2019s fraud-prevention line.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sooner you report a theft, the greater the chance for the theft\/potential theft to be reversed,\u201d said Patel.<\/p>\n \u201cATM users will always be potential targets for criminals but by arming yourself with the right information and by exercising extra caution in high risk situations, you can protect yourself and your family from fraud during the holidays and all year round.\u201d<\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n