“It is alleged that one of the suspects approached a 41-year-old victim who was withdrawing cash at an ATM at Gray Street, Knysna on May 17. The suspect pretended to provide assistance to the victim, who refused the help. He took the bank card and fled from the scene. An amount of R2 900 was later withdrawn from his account,” said Spies.
Spies also offered the following safety tips to residents when using an ATM:
• Never use an ATM with a blank screen and, if the ATM is obscured from view or poorly lit, leave immediately and find another ATM.
• Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield to make sure nobody sees you keying in your pin.
• Make sure you keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swop or take your card.
• Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. You should be wary of strangers asking for help.
• Criminals work in teams – one to distract you, while the other steals your card or money.
• If your card is retained (swallowed) by the ATM, phone your bank's toll-free stop card line immediately and stop your card.
• Never allow a bystander to call the stop card line on your behalf – they could be tricking you into thinking your card has been stopped.
• Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminal activities and therefore cannot help you with transactions.
• If you need help, ask a bank official.
• Be alert and conscious of your surroundings when using the ATM.
• Never give your card or PIN to anyone, for any reason.
• Don’t write your PIN on the card or anything that is kept with the card.
• Do not insert your card until asked to do so by the display screen.