PSA: This is how to avoid getting robbed at an ATM in South Africa

Cash robberies at banks and ATMs are on the rise. These types of robberies increased by four percent from 2015 to 2016. In 2017. To date in 2017,  695 incidents have been reported so far.

This is according to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric).

The Eastern Cape saw the largest increase (48%) from 2015 to 2016. From 2017 January to June, Gauteng has shown the highest number of incidents (382) followed by KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and the Free State.

These incidents can be violent, too. From 2014 to June 2017, 27 fatalities and 69 injuries.

How do ATM robberies happen?

According to Sabric, the MO of these robberies all follow a similar pattern. And while some of these incidents take place on the premises outside of business hours, many take place off premises with perps following their victims after they have made a cash withdrawal.

Sabric say most skelms are armed and are often verbally abusive.

Business owners are also increasingly being targeted and “spotters” are being used, too.

What is an ATM “spotter”?

“Spotters are individuals who enter the bank purporting to be clients, and will even queue to give the impression that they are bank clients. Their sole purpose is to identify victims who have made a cash withdrawal.”

“They communicate the victims’ description to accomplices who wait outside the bank. These accomplices then follow the victim and rob them of their cash.”

Tips for Individuals to avoid ATM robberies

• 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 cell phone banking or internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking.
• Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you

Tips for businesses to avoid ATM robberies

• Vary the days and times on which you deposit cash.
• Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you.
• Do not openly display the money you are depositing while you are standing in the bank queue.
• Avoid carrying moneybags, briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt book.
• It is advisable to identify another branch nearby you 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 giving 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.