ATM users warned of hoax e-mail

Sabric chief executive Kalyani Pillay said the information contained in the e-mail was false and should be ignored.

“No ATM in South Africa is equipped to alert police of any distress of a bank customer, irrespective of whether you key in your ATM card PIN in reverse.”

She said it was not the first time the e-mail had been circulated and its origin was not known.

The e-mail claims that if a customer is forced by a criminal to make a transaction, they should type in their PIN codes in reverse order and that this would summon the police.

Pillay urged banking customers to be alert at all times about their financial dealings even when receiving information that was apparently credible and helpful.

“We advise bank customers to validate any unsolicited information they receive, either by e-mail, phone or even hearsay, with their banks before acting on it.

“The alertness of bank clients is often the best preventative measure against many bank-related scams,” Pillay said.

Source: Sapa

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