Police caution public about carrying cash
Change your banking routines regularly.
It is almost that time of the year when members of the community begin looking forward to the festive season and spending their hard-earned money with their loved ones.
Regrettably, this is also the time at which criminal elements will attempt to continue with their evil plans, including committing crimes such as robberies.
As a precautionary measure, the Florida Police would like to caution members of the community, particularly those who have been saving money through stokvel groupings or societies, to avoid carrying a lot of cash.
Two crime types remain prevalent. Victims are followed out of banks after a cash withdrawal has been made. In some incidents, consumers are followed from ATMs where they have withdrawn cash, to their residences, places of work, vehicles or any other place where it is easy to rob them.
Also Read:
https://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2018/04/24/woman-shot-in-head-during-armed-robbery/
It is apparent that in the case of bank branches, “spotters” still operate and communicate the victims’ description to accomplices, who wait outside the bank. Small business owners are also at risk, particularly when drawing cash to pay weekly wages.
In most robberies, the robbers are armed and will resort to violence if the victim resists. These robberies are not limited to urban areas, but also occur in rural communities. There are safer ways to do transactions, such as internet transfers or mobile banking, instead of carrying large amounts of cash.
Tips for members of the community, who are urged to protect themselves and reduce the risk of becoming victims:
• Carry as little cash as possible.
• Consider the convenience of paying your accounts electronically (consult your bank to find out about other available options).
• Consider making use of cellphone banking or internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking.
• Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you.
• Vary the days and times on which you deposit cash.
• Do not openly display the money you are depositing while you are standing in the bank queue.
• Avoid carrying money bags, briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt book.
• It is advisable to identify another branch nearby that you can visit to ensure that your banking pattern is not easily recognisable or detected.
• If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grows, consider using the services of a cash management company.
• Refrain from paying wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public; rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank.
• Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.
Tips for stokvel groupings:
• Refrain from making cash deposits of club members’ contributions on high-risk days (e.g. Monday after month end).
• Ensure persons depositing club cash contributions or making withdrawals are accompanied by another club member.
• A stokvel savings club or burial society can arrange for members to deposit cash directly into the club’s account instead of collecting cash contributions.
• Arrange for the club’s pay-out to be electronically transferred into each club member’s personal account or accounts of their choice.
• Take another person along when going to deposit cash contributions.
• When buying bulk groceries for a stokvel, do not use the transport of an unknown person.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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