I’m posting it here in case you find it helpful.

Feel free to forward it on to others.

Dear valued ADT client

According to a leading financial service provider’s Joint Operations Centre, criminals are defacing ATMs in order to clone your bank card and record your pin number. This is being done with a high-tech skimming device made up of a camera unit and modified card reader. Authentic card readers at ATMs are made of aluminium. A fake plastic card reader is placed over this and records your card details while a camera unit behind the panel which dispenses your receipt records you entering your pin number. There are other tell-tale signs such as a break in the card reader’s LED display.

As all of us know, it is important to be vigilant at ATMs; always aware of your surroundings and never allowing anyone to assist you with a transaction in any way. Now, the danger can be as close as your fingertips and as nondescript as a bogus panel or tiny hole. Scrutinise the ATM before inserting your card and if you suspect the machine has been tampered with, leave immediately and report this to the SAPS and the bank.

We trust the graphics below will assist you in being able to identify an ATM which has been defaced by criminals.

© James for Make a good house a GREAT home, 2010. | WARNING: ATM Fraud Security Alert | No comments yet. Click here to add yours... |

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Do you live in South Africa? I do…

Do you know anybody who’s been hijacked? I do…

Are you nervous when pulling into a driveway at night? I am

Want to try prevent being hijacked? Read below…

Tips to prevent hijacking

Carjackings can take place anywhere, but happen most frequently in driveways. In fact, all of the people I know who were victims of hijackings have said it took place in their own driveway, or in the driveway of a friend’s house.

And, time and place do not make much difference. It can happen in Soweto, or it can happen in Sandton. And, whether it’s a busy road or not. In fact, peak hour seems to be the most common time for hijackings as this is when most people are just focused on (rushing?) to work.

So, here are a few tips to help prevent being hijacked:

• Stay alert! Look around and get the BIG PICTURE of your surroundings. It is also important to look alert and purposeful. Carjackers look for victims who give the appearance of not paying attention or who appear to be lost. Look around, especially to the sides and rear, count the numbers of people and the cars around you.
• Be extra alert 2 km from your destination, switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings. Check whether you are being followed.
• Be particularly alert at stop lights or intersections. When traveling through these points at night, be prepared to take appropriate evasive action. Drive up to red traffic lights slowly to avoid long waits for a green light.
• When approaching your vehicle, do so with car keys in hand. Especially when exiting shopping malls with shopping trolleys or bags. Even if rushed, look around and inside your car before getting in.
• Ask parking attendants to assist with loading your bags so that you can remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Survey your surroundings. If the scene is safe, get in the vehicle rapidly and quickly depart the area. If encountering suspicious activity, do not hesitate to hurry back to a safer location.
• Never sit in a stationary vehicle while parked in locations such as a roadside, parking lot, shopping centre, church or driveway.
• Alter routes and avoid traffic choke points.
• Be alert to being followed.
• Leave an escape route on maneuvering room when stopping or slowing the vehicle. Always stop half a car length behind the car in front of you. Becoming boxed in makes for an easy target.(Hint: you usually have enough room to maneuver if you can see the rear tyres of the vehicle stopped ahead of you).
• Be suspicious of people standing at roadside or near a stopped vehicle. Consider why this person is standing where they are. Some victims have observed the perpetrator before the crime but the victim disregarded assailants as a threat because they ‘looked innocent,’ were just ‘hanging around,’ or were ‘nicely dressed.’
• Trust your instincts. If something makes you feel uneasy, leave the area.
• Keep doors locked and windows rolled up with a 5cm gap at the top.
• Keep your bag on the floor, but preferably in boot.
• Be familiar with all ignition locking devices or security systems in your car. Do not hesitate to explain them to the carjacker. A frustrated thief may take their tensions out on you. Knowing how to operate the security systems and helping the attackers operate these systems may reduce attackers’ frustration level and reduce the threat to you.
• When driving up to a gate, search for possible concealment points and cars following. Leave enough room between the car and gate so you can drive away without backing up. Park immediately inside the gate and put your car in reverse while waiting for gate to close, then park and leave the car.
• Ensure your driveway is well lit with no shrubs near or around entrance where perpetrators can hide.
• In high or medium risk areas, avoid stopping on the side of a road, even if you have a vehicle emergency. If a dashboard warning light activates, do not turn off the engine – it might not start again. Drive slowly, even on a flat tyre until you reach a public place where you can get help.
• Do not pick up hitch hikers.
• Do not stop to assist strangers. Travel on and report accidents and incidents to the police.
• If you suspect you are being followed, do not drive home. Go to a police station or a safe public place.
• Keep your car well fuelled and in good working order. Do not procrastinate on repairs.
• Keep your cell-phone clipped to you belt – once you leave the area call for help.
• Become familiar with addresses and routes in and out of neighbourhoods, before visiting there. If you do not know the location of the address you are visiting, get a member you trust who knows the area to accompany you. Use a good map and study it before you drive. Do not rely on memory unless you are very familiar with the area or have lived in the area for a long period of time.
• Do not stop a vehicle to interact with people at roadside or to ask directions of strangers.
• Be prepared to stop and turn well ahead of freeway overpasses if suspicious behaviour on the overpass or the road ahead is observed.
• When exiting a vehicle, look around before turning off the ignition.
• Park in well lit areas if you plan to arrive and leave after dark. Avoid parking near locations where thieves may conceal themselves.
• Do not park next to large vehicles from which carjackers may emerge or behind which they may be more easily concealed.
• Never leave valuables in plain view inside the vehicle. Deposit needed items in the boot.

I hope I haven’t made you paranoid here. But I’d rather you were safe than sorry…

My next article will talk about what to do DURING a hijacking, so I hope you’ve subscribed.

And, if you’re already a subscriber, thank you. Feel free to share this with your family and friends…

© James for Make a good house a GREAT home, 2008. | Avoid being hijacked with these tips | No comments yet. Click here to add yours... |

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These tips were also part of the security update document sent out by my company that I thought should be shared with everybody. We are all affected by crime in one way or another, and any extra awareness can help.

Keep Your Credit Card Details Safe

Silly question, but why would you want to keep your credit card safe? How’s this for an example:

A colleague of mine had the FNB notifications (“In Contact”) enabled so he was notified of a purchase on his credit card that he wasn’t aware of. And, it was for something called “Adam’s Patches”.

He had a tough time explaining THAT one to his wife.

Pointers for Credit Card Security

• Treat credit and debit cards as cash.
• Do not divulge your PIN to anyone, not even bank staff.
• Never leave a card unattended.
• If your card is lost or stolen, immediately call the bank to stop the card and get a reference number.
• Note the date and time of your call, and the name of the person who took the call to prove that you stopped the card.
• Preferably give your card to the teller directly and not to attendants or waiters, ensure that the transaction is completed in full view. Most restaurants now have mobile credit card machines, ask the waiter to bring one to your table.
• Do not give your credit card number over the telephone.
• Keep copies of all sales vouchers and ATM receipts. Check bank statements carefully.
• Query unauthorized transactions with your bank as soon as you detect them.
• Do not provide any personal information when using your credit card.
• Have your card easily available when approaching an ATM.
• Check ATM for anything suspicious – card must enter slot easily, do not force as ATM may be tampered with.
• Check for hidden cameras above ATM keyboard.
• Be aware of people loitering around ATMs.
• Do not insert your card until prompted to do so by ATM.
• Never key in your PIN until prompted to do so by ATM.
• Never use an ATM with a blank screen.
• Memorize your PIN. Do not write on your card or give to anyone.
• Do not accept help from strangers at an ATM.
• Keep your ATM card transaction limits as low as possible.
• Do not count cash at an ATM or in public.
• Make sure your card and cash are safely in your wallet, handbag or pocket before leaving ATM.
• Take your ATM receipt with you.
• Keep your card and PIN safe.
• Do not reply to e-mails requesting credit card or banking details. Contact your bank immediately.

Don’t forget about keeping your credit card safe while shopping online as well. Make sure you’re completing your purchase or entering your details on the correct site.

For example, you don’t want to enter your details on paypel.com! ALWAYS ensure you’re on the website you MEAN to be on…

Please let me know if you found this article useful, or if you’d add/change anything.

© James for Make a good house a GREAT home, 2008. | Credit Card Security Tips | No comments yet. Click here to add yours... |

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Don’t forget to subscribe (on the left) to receive all of these articles and please feel free to send this link to people you know (using the “Share This” link at the bottom).

Surviving a Robbery

• Stay calm and do not make any sudden movements that could be construed as threatening. Make sure your hands can be seen at all times.
• Do not look the person in the eye.
• Do not confront the person.
• Follow ALL instructions given to you.  Hand over any valuables they want, give them any keys they want.
• Concentrate on the following information:  clothes the person is wearing, language or accent, names mentioned, age, nationality, etc.
• Do not speak to the person if not spoken to.
• Only give information that is asked – do not offer additional information.
• Do not try to be a hero under any circumstances.
• If you are asked to lie on the floor, lie in view of the robbers with your hands visible.

What to do if you’re a hostage in a Robbery

If you’re being held hostage as part of a robbery, please remember the following:

• Keep your dignity.  Notify the person if you need to use a toilet or if you need to take any medication.
• When being held hostage for a long period of time, keep yourself positive – think of loved ones, things you like to do, etc.
• Avoid eye contact at all times.

Once again, I hope you found this article useful, and I’d be really happy if you had any tips to add. You can do so by leaving a comment at the bottom of this page…

© James for Make a good house a GREAT home, 2008. | What to do during a robbery | Only one comment. Click here to add yours... |

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I thought it would be good to share it with the rest of South Africa (and the world) because everybody can benefit from extra awareness and ideas.

There will be about 5 articles in this series of safety and security tips, so if you’re not already a subscriber, I recommend entering your email address into the box on the left of this page and subscribing…

Of course, and don’t forget to add any tips you have by leaving a comment at the bottom.

Tips for Home Security

• Ensure all gates cannot be taken off railings and access gained to your home in this manner. (I personally know people who have had this done to them).
• Train children and domestic workers not to let any strangers into your home.
• Train children and domestic workers not to leave any doors to your property unlocked, especially doors to kitchen areas.
• Perpetrators dress in overalls and claim to be workmen from telephone, water or electricity companies.
• Ensure that you have copies of identity documents of any domestic workers who work in your home and contact numbers.
• Ensure that all doors are locked whilst your home is unattended.
• When going on holiday, cancel newspaper deliveries. Arrange with a neighbour or friend to collect post. Unplug electrical appliances and empty refrigerators of perishable products. Have night switch installed that will ensure lights are switched on and off at night.
• Notify security company of your absence and ensure they have your current cell phone.

Admittedly, I’m not 100% sure I would follow the last suggestion. The whole point of cancelling your newspaper subscription (do people still HAVE newspaper subscriptions in this country???) is so that they don’t pile up in your garden and show the world that you’re not home. So, I’m not too keen on letting anybody else I don’t know that I won’t be home either…

I hope you’ve found this helpful. If you want to share this with the people you know, just click on the “Share This” link underneath this article. There’s even an option for email.

Don’t forget to subscribe for the next article

© James for Make a good house a GREAT home, 2008. | Home Security Tips for South Africans | 2 comments. Click here to add yours... |

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Visit this page: eBooks for Subscribers
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