Look out to avoid fraud

CRIMINALS: CASES ON THE RISE AS THEY'LL BE TARGETING VULNERABLE CONSUMERS

- Athaly Khan

As the festive season draws near, consumers need to be extra vigilant as fraudsters are intensifying their tactics. There are several methods used to deceive ATM users, particularly vulnerable individuals like the elderly or those unfamiliar with other languages.

One common scam involves altering ATM language settings to confuse users, while another sees fraudsters activating the "cardless function" to disorient customers.

A frequent tactic, especially during busy periods like Easter, Black Friday and the festive season, is jamming card slots or PIN pads to steal cards or money.

These methods are designed to create confusion and make it easier for fraudsters to steal people's cards or money.

Watch out for "shoulder surfing", where someone watches you enter your PIN to steal it. It's not just at ATMs - beware anywhere you use your bank card or enter sensitive information.