SAPS offers advice to the public and small business on how to Avoid Being a Victim of Cash Robberies

If you need to pay accounts, consider options that are lower risk instead of withdrawing large sums of cash.

Apply the following TIPS to avoid being a victim:

• 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

TIPS to Avoid Being a Victim of Cash Robberies for Businesses

A small business which is cash based and needs to deposit money on a regular basis at the bank should apply the following TIPS which will minimize the chances of you being a victim of robberies:
• Alternate 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 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 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
• Refrain from driving to the bank in your company branded vehicle on a typical ‘pay day’
• Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to your contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts

TIPS to Avoid Being a Victim of Cash Robberies for Savings Clubs and Stokvels

If you are a member of a cash savings club, advise members of your club of the following TIPS that will assist your club from being victim to cash robberies:

• 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

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