ALL stokvel groups, burial societies, social and savings clubs are preparing for their year-end functions.
Beer will be drunk and smoke from braai stands around Mzansi will be seen curling into the air. Other groups will go on outings while some will gather to share their groceries and money.
But, warned Riaan Appelgrein, the senior manager for customer financial solutions at Standard Bank, as stokvel groups withdraw their money from different bank branches to buy groceries and other goods in preparation for the festive season, criminals are waiting to pounce!
Safety tips for SunStokvel readers
Encourage members to transfer money directly to their bank accounts. Do all your bookkeeping before the time. Your local branch can arrange for payments to be made directly to individual members’ accounts. Your bank can arrange for someone to visit your stokvel and open accounts for those members who do not have any.
Arrange for your local branch to make payments directly to retailers if possible.
The bank needs the bank details of the retailer with a reference that will allow the retailer to identify your deposit.
The bank will provide you with proof of payment, which you can provide to the retailer in need.
Your bank can also write a bank-guaranteed cheque for you. No one else except the person it is made out to can deposit it.
Don’t tell anyone when you visit the bank. Criminals can use that information to plan their robberies.
Make sure that you are not followed when you go to the bank. Be aware of suspicious people when you are at the bank. Look out for people who follow you when you leave.
Avoid visiting the bank on high-risk days – Mondays, Fridays and just after month end.
Withdraw the cash in smaller amounts over a few days. This way, you won’t lose all your cash at once if you are robbed.
