Page 6 - Fourways Gardens Issue 10 November 2023

Security

FESTIVE SEASON AND

SHOPPING SAFETY

The festive/silly season brings not
only joy and happiness but also
an increase in crime and seasonal
security challenges. 24/7 Security

Services is, through our strategic
festive season awareness campaign,
increasing patrols and raising
alertness and vigilance. We urge all

Fourways Gardens Estate residents
to pay special attention to their
safety over the next two months. Photo by Erik Mclean

Shopping safety such as VeriSign, and secure payment • All clear
systems such as PayU. When you get to the You wouldn’t typically invite strangers
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Festive page where you enter your credit card or into your home; the same applies to
Season shopping should be happy and other personal information, look for an ‘s’ after couriers. Before opening the door or gate,
carefree events. You work hard for your ‘http://’ in the web address of that page – it verify the identification of the person.
money; don’t let criminals steal your joy this should read: ‘https://’. Also, look for activity in the street that
shopping season. might indicate that the courier van is
• Do your online shopping in safe places being followed.
1. Safety at the Mall Don’t do your online shopping in coffee
• Be aware of your surroundings - this is one of shops and malls. With public Wi-Fi, there’s a • Plan ahead
your greatest weapons as distraction is your bigger chance for fraudsters to intercept your When ordering goods online, you usually
biggest enemy. connection and get hold of your usernames get a notification of the delivery date and,
• Park in well-lit areas as close to the entrance and passwords. sometimes, time. This allows you to plan
door. ahead, ensuring that someone at home
• Do not sit in your car checking messages; • Watch out for strange emails and links accepts the delivery. Sometimes, you can
you are vulnerable and distracted. Fraudsters are quite good at mimicking track delivery in real-time, depending on
• Never leave valuables in plain sight in your known websites, which enables them to the supplier and what you have ordered.
car; put them in the boot. easily create emails with fraudulent links that In other cases, the delivery personnel will
• Manually check that your car doors are look legitimate. phone you shortly before arriving. Use
locked, remote car-jamming is a common these notifications to help verify that you
threat. Even if your car makes a locking • Use strong passwords are opening for the correct person and
sound, double-check every time. Don’t create a password that is easy to guess prepare for the delivery. This way, you can
• Keep your cash in your wallet to the or hack. Use an 8-digit password combination ensure that the delivery occurs as quickly
minimum and don’t let people see how of upper-case letters, symbols, and numbers. as possible and that you don’t keep the
much you carry. delivery personnel waiting.
• Keep your mobile phone and wallet out of • Use two-factor authentication methods
sight. The OTP (one-time PIN) is a must-have in • Be aware
• Keep the zip of your handbag closed. online shopping and banking. Be alert and look out for suspicious
• Carry your keys in your hand ready to unlock persons or vehicles throughout the
the car when you enter the parking area. 3. Safe deliveries delivery. This includes checking if the
24/7 Security Services has noted increased courier van is followed when they arrive,
2. Online shopping courier robberies in the Fourways area. Our being vigilant. At the same time, the
• Look for the lock. Armed Reaction Teams are on high alert, delivery takes place, and checking if any
Only transact on secure websites. Look for the and the Control Room monitors all delivery persons or vehicles are loitering in the
lock image on the toolbar, valid certificates activities. street before leaving.

Fourways Gardens • 4 • November 2023