GEORGE NEWS - George police has sent out a warning after it has come to their attention that a new scam is doing the rounds in George.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Capt Malcolm Pojie, a group of three men and two women pretending to be Vodacom employees, roam the streets and businesses of George, swindling unsuspecting victims out of high amounts of cash through accessing the banking application on their cellphones.
"On Tuesday 11 October, a group of five suspects approached a businessman in Market Street during lunch hour. They asked whether he had any queries with Vodacom and presented him with pamphlets and advice to address his issues and complaints," said Pojie.
The suspects then managed to access the victim's banking application on his cellphone and transferred thousands of rands from his account before he realised what had happened.
"By the time the complainant realised that he had been defrauded, the suspects were long gone," Pojie said. The victim reported the incident to police who opened a case of fraud for further investigation. No arrests have been made.
According to Pojie, video footage is currently being scrutinised in an attempt to identify and apprehend the suspects. In addition, identikits/photos of the suspects will be available once compiled.
"We want to encourage the community at large not to fall prey to these scams through being extra vigilant at all times. Also report such fraudulent activities to the nearest police station immediately," said Pojie.
Anyone with information about the group or syndicate operating in George is asked to contact local police or detectives on 044 803 4715/33 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Don't become a victim
• Never respond to emails or cellphone messages appearing to be from your bank, which request your personal details. Remember that no bank will ever ask you to confirm or update your account details by email.
• Never provide your online ID, password or Pin to anyone and never write them down or share them.
• Do not save your Internet banking password on your desktop.
• Do not leave your computer unattended after you have entered your Internet banking password.
• Always log off or sign off at the end of a session.
• Avoid doing Internet banking in public areas such as Internet cafés, or on any computer that can be accessed by people you do not know.
• Change your Pin and passwords frequently.
• Put sensible transaction limits on your accounts.
• Only provide your credit card details to reputable companies.
• If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.
• Never send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust.
• Check the credentials of the person or business, to see whether or not the person operates a legitimate business or that the business does exist.
• Never provide the other party with blank letterheads or invoices.
• Never pay anything in advance unless you are absolutely sure that goods or services are going to be delivered.
A screenshot taken of the Vodacom phone application.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
