DURBAN – With the festive season approaching, members of the public are urged not to carry or keep large amounts of cash at home. There are safer options that are lower risk. Carry as little cash as possible and consider making use of cellphone banking and internet transfers to pay accounts. Bank accounts must be opened and transfers should be done at a bank to avoid robberies.

This is very pertinent as many stokvels will be sharing their savings with members and placing themselves at risk by withdrawing cash. In most cases the venues and times for these activities are leaked to criminals who then rob them of their cash. People are being robbed of their hard earned cash and there have been instances in the past where people have been killed during robberies.

TIPS TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM OF CASH ROBBERIES

•        Alternate the days and times on which you deposit cash

•        Refrain from making cash deposits

•        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 money bags, briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt book

•        It’s advisable to identify another branch nearby that you can visit to ensure that your banking pattern is not easily recognizable 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 in full view of the public rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank

•        Refrain from driving to the bank in your company branded vehicle on a typical ‘pay day’

Source: South African Police Service