ATM users are asked to exercise extreme caution this time of year to avoid being victimised by fraudsters looking to defraud unsuspecting customers.

ATM-related crimes spike over the festive season because people withdraw large amounts of money for various reasons and fall victim to scams by card scammers.

“As the year slowly draws to a close and the excitement of the holiday spending season starts to kick in, the need for hyper-vigilance becomes even more important,” said FNB Points of Presence CEO Zibu Nqala.

“Customers must always exercise caution by remaining extra vigilant of their surroundings. It’s also important for them to constantly familiarise themselves with the latest trends that fraudsters are using to avoid being victimised.”

ATM dos and don’ts to ensure safety this festive season:

• Use ATMs in well-lit secure areas and avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash in one transaction.
• Do not request or accept help from anyone who is not an employee or consultant of the branch.
• Limit the amount of money you can withdraw each day.
• If the ATM screen appears unusual, refrain from entering your pin; rather cancel the transaction instead.
• Never force your card into the ATM slot, if the card doesn’t go in it might be tampered with.
• Get familiar with the ATMs appearance and feel so that you can recognise any unfamiliar items attached to it.
• When transacting, cover the ATM keypad with your hand as scammers can place cameras to record your pin as you punch it in.
• If nothing is suspicious, and once cash has been withdrawn safely, immediately place it out of sight.

The festive season comes with long queues, thus users are urged to be vigilant. Photo: X

“There are lots of different alternatives people can use to pay besides cash, they must explore using their virtual cards, swiping instead of using cash, by using digital payment methods,” said Nqala.

“So if you can avoid using cash please do, but if you need to use cash please make sure that you are extra-vigilant because fraudsters are not on holiday.”

Many people don’t know what to do when the ATM “swallows” or retains a card and also when money doesn’t come out from the ATM. Immediately enter the bank branch to report such incidents or block and stop your card on the app.

To ensure ATM safety once cash has been withdrawn safely, immediately place it out of sight. Photo: The South African

When the ATM doesn’t dispense cash, go inside the branch to report it. If this happens at night, ATMs have cameras. So this will be logged and the customer will be contacted, she said.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg