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The local police warn communities to be vigilant at ATMs. Photo: Kaizer Nengovhela.

Beware of scammers at ATMs, warn police

 

The police have warned members of the public to be vigilant when using ATMs and hold onto their bank cards while money is being withdrawn, to avoid fraud. This follows a series of recent incidents where residents from the Siloam and Mphephu areas fell victim to ATM fraudsters.

According to Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, several cases relating to ATM scams are being investigated after the local police received reports about criminals who pretend to be assisting people at ATMs, then rob them of their cash. Other victims reported that their money got stolen directly from their bank accounts after they used the ATMs.

One of the victims, Ms Violet Tshimange, lost nearly R4 000 because of ATM fraudsters. She says that, although she did report the matter to the police, it offered no consolation. “It was like I was dreaming when I received the SMS notification that I had just withdrawn money, while I never did. I save money to build my house, but these cruel people robbed me,” she cried.

Mr Marcus Mpfariseni from Biaba town in the Nzhelele area was another victim of an ATM scam when he was robbed of his hard-earned money a fortnight ago. “I received notifications that my card had been swiped at shops and that money was drawn in Louis Trichardt, which is 55 km from Biaba,” he said. Shortly after that, he received another SMS notification of a R2 000 withdrawal from his account at a shop outlet in the same area. “We are no longer safe in this world. The men are always well dressed. They offered to help me, but then changed my bank card without me noticing,” he said.

Mojapelo said that the Siloam and Mphephu areas had clearly become targets for criminals, and that the communities should be highly cautious when using ATMs. “Thugs mainly prey on unsuspecting card holders during transactions at ATMs. We urge people to not allow anyone to offer to help them when they withdraw money from ATMs, as these criminals are on a mission and have already scammed several victims in the area. Don’t accept help from strangers; rather ask bank officials for assistance.”

The secretary of the South Africa National Civic Association in Siloam, Mr Tshume Tshindane, urged shoppers to be more vigilant. He said that the community was so happy that they did not have to travel long distances to get to banks and shops anymore, but now they were being robbed of their money. He said that anyone who saw the robbers must notify the police, security guards or any other community structure immediately. “Always keep a watchful eye out for fraudsters when doing bank transactions,” he advised.

 

 

Date:21 May 2022

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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