During the festive season, as excitement builds and families prepare to celebrate, criminal activity tends to pick up across South African suburbs.
In the latest wave of incidents, criminals have been utilising open house days as a prime opportunity to target unsuspecting homeowners, robbing them of their valuables and leaving them devastated.
With this trend escalating, safety experts urge residents to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Charnel Hattingh, head of Group Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group, highlighted that posing as customers is a classic ruse employed by thieves.
‘Small businesses are especially vulnerable because even if they do have a security door and buzzer, for example, when a “customer” arrives you have to open for them,’ she explains.
This tactic is not limited to commercial properties; many unsuspecting homeowners are now falling prey to similar scams.
Residents in various suburbs contend with a new breed of imposters, who often disguise themselves as council workers or maintenance staff. ‘Criminals just find more innovative guises to successfully gain access to a property,’ Hattingh states.
By studying homes and observing daily routines, these criminals exploit the moments when domestic staff are alone, posing as delivery or service personnel to gain entry.
‘We have reiterated the danger of opening the gate to strangers on many occasions,’ Hattingh advised, emphasising that perimeter protection should always remain a homeowner’s first line of defence.
‘If this is breached, things can go wrong very quickly,’ she cautions.
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- Ask who they are and what they want.
- If you were not expecting them, don’t let them in – no matter what their story is.
- If they claim your employer sent them for a repair, call your employer immediately to confirm.
- If no intercom system is available, speak to them through a window from a secured area inside the house.
- Always keep a remote panic button handy to alert your security provider of suspicious behaviour.
Hattingh added that all visitors should be treated with caution, including those pleading for help. ‘Even individuals with babies can be part of distraction tactics,’ she warns.
Criminals often work in pairs; while one engages you at your door, another may attempt to gain access elsewhere.
Protecting loved ones and valuables requires adherence to strict security protocols at home. Implementing effective security systems, ensuring they are functional, and establishing daily habits of arming alarm systems can significantly mitigate the risks of home invasions.
‘Developing this habit should be an integral part of your evening routine,’ Hattingh advises.
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