Question:
I was recently a victim of a ‘smash and grab’. It all happened so quickly — before I knew it the thief made off with my handbag!

Please tell readers to keep their bags on the floor and not to daydream at robots. I know I could have prevented it had I been vigilant.

The whole episode cost me R5000! My car window cost R1100 to repair and, although I was insured, I decided not to claim as I would’ve lost my ‘no claim bonus’ in addition to the R500 excess that I would have had to pay. My passport was in my bag as I had just booked for an overseas trip — R2800 to replace that! My house’s keys were in the bag and I had to call a locksmith to break into my house and replace the locks — another R1000.

My lack of attention to my surroundings cost me dearly!

Answer:
It’s an awful experience that happened to me too.

If you are a victim of this type of crime you can make it easier on yourself by doing the following:

Add the relevant phone numbers of the lost card division at your bank to your cell phone and keep a copy of this article in your cubbyhole (the cell phone may be in your bag). If you have an old cell phone buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card and keep it in the cubbyhole too (keep a car charger with it). It can be a lifesaver when you are stranded.

The numbers are:

  • First National Bank - 0800 11032

  • Standard Bank - 0800 0206000

  • Absa - 0861 462 273

  • Nedbank - 0800 110 929

  • Virgin - 0860 866 639

Then make a note of your cell phone company’s SIM stop number. They are:

  • Vodacom - from Vodacom cell # 111; from Telkom line or other service provider 082 111

  • MTN - From MTN cell # 808; from Telkom line or other service provider 0831808

  • Cell C - From Cell C cell #140; from Telkom line or other service provider 084 140

  • Virgin Mobile - from Virgin cell # 123; from Telkom line or other service provider 074 000 123

Make a list of the following numbers too:

  • Your armed response company.

  • A good 24 hour locksmith.

The next thing to do is to log onto the South African fraud prevention services website — www.safps.org.za. There you will find a form that you can use to alert authorities that your ID or passport has been stolen. Once you have done that you will get a special reference number that you will be asked for every time you apply for a new account or credit. If someone tries to use your details to commit fraud they will be prevented from doing so, because they will not have this special code. Keep it safe but accessible.

Even if you were robbed a while ago you should still do this. The service alerts all major credit providers who will then flag your name on their data bases.

Also never keep your ID or Passport in your bag. Take them out and put them in the cubbyhole and then return them to a safe place when you get home. Furthermore, make certified copies of your important docs.

Send a link to this article to your friends — they may thank you for it later.