MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Many businesses will soon shut down for the festive season, with employees receiving their final pay check for the year, including bonuses.
This means a lot of money will be circulating and, unfortunately, that can attract criminal activity.
Remember to be extra cautious when using ATMs during this time and take all necessary precautions to stay safe.
The Mossel Bay Police Station has shared the following tips for keeping your money safe and preventing fraud this festive season:
At the ATM:
• Keep your eyes open for anything unusual and opt for ATMs located in well-lit, busy areas that have security measures in place.
• Trust your gut. If something does not feel right, move on from the ATM.
• Do not take too long at the ATM and try not to attract attention by counting your cash in public.
• Inspect the ATM and be mindful of skimming devices. Skimming is a crime where thieves attach a device to an ATM, to steal your card information. You can check for these devices by gently trying to move the keyboard to see if it is securely attached. You can also inspect the card slot, to ensure the plastic surrounding the card slot is firmly in place.
• Always cover the keypad with your hand or body while entering your pin to protect your pin from prying eyes or possible criminal camera devices.
• Report suspicious activity.
• Do not get distracted. Criminals sometimes work together: one distracts you while the other steals your card or money.
• Remember that guards are placed at ATMs to prevent crime, not to assist with transactions, therefore do not accept help from anyone claiming to be security, even if they are in uniform.
• Never accept help from strangers at an ATM. Walk away and return later if you feel unsafe, or ask for help inside the bank.
• Never share your pin with anyone, especially those offering help at an ATM. Also avoid writing your PIN on paper, as it could be easily stolen.
• If your card is lost or stolen, immediately block it, using the "stop card" option at the ATM, or on your banking app, or by calling the customer helpline.
Contact the Mossel Bay Police Station (044 606 2805) or call the police station sector contact numbers (082 302 6670/ 082 522 3278) to report any incidents of crime.
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