Fidelity ADT warns of an increase in pedestrians being targeted while waiting for an e-hailing service outside their homes or at shopping centres.

Charnel Hattingh: Group Head of Marketing & communications for Fidelity ADT says, “The issue of cell phone snatching happens any time of day, whether people are dining at a restaurant and leave the cell phone on the table of if they are waiting outside on the pavement for an Uber. I urge everyone to not be complacent. We have noticed a re-emerging trend where criminals are driving around pretending to be an e-hailing services looking for opportunities to commit crime.

The number of incidents has increased dramatically in recent weeks. We have seen an increase in in the Pretoria CBD, Garsfontein, Centurion, Moot and surrounding areas. Hattingh says “while people are waiting outside their homes or shopping Centre’s for an e-hailing service, they follow or pull up behind the uber and then rob the unsuspecting victims who are waiting. We are urging residents to be vigilant.

She offers residents the following advice to keep safe:

• Make sure you know what the load shedding roster is so that you can plan your walk to a certain destination. Never walk in darkness so ensure you can return home before it is dark
• Don’t walk with earphones listening to music. You have to be able to look and listen
• Wait for your e-hailing transport in a well-lit area, where there are other people around. Don’t isolate yourself, that way you easily become a target.
• Where possible walk with someone to just make you a little less vulnerable Two people can also help to identify the perpetrators and the vehicle they are travelling in better than one. This will help us to get the criminals behind bars and to keep them there
• If you are a victim of an attempted phone snatching, remember to report the incident even if it was just an attempt. A crime is not a crime and will not get recorded unless it is reported
• Hide your valuables/cell phone in your bag or inside jacket pocket. You need to ensure your phone is not visible to passers by. You must also never talk on your phone while out walking as this makes you an easy target

“Remember that criminals are usually nervous and working under pressure so they can make mistakes. It is better to just give them what they want and avoid being injured. That same message needs to be communicated to your children so everyone understands the rules,” concludes Hattingh.

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PREPARED ON BEHALF OF FIDELITY ADT BY CATHY FINDLEY PUBLIC RELATIONS ON (071) 764-8233 OR EMAIL JACQUI MOLOI ON JACQUI@FINDLEYPR.CO.ZA