£1.7K stolen, Day 1, South Africa!

Note: It's taken me a while to write this particular blog. I needed to let enough time pass after the incident to be able to write about it objectively (I was really emotional for the first couple of days) and I wanted to get to know this country a little better so that I could try to make this blog helpful to other people planning their trip here.

Honestly you couldn't make this up! We had been expecting (and planning for) petty crime in South Africa - we'd read a lot about common crimes and heard a number of accounts from friends and work colleagues so we were fairly alert about keeping us and our possessions safe, but in truth by the time we landed in Johannesburg after a long 36hr journey, our minds were full of just the travel practicalities and we just wanted to get to our accommodation and get into bed. Our driver was lovely, full of stories and information which made it a pleasant journey from O R Tambo International Airport into the city, When we arrived, the Security person welcomed us warmly and helped us check in to our apartment (which was wonderful). Everything was going great.

I had booked us an apartment in the area of Rosebank, which is supposed to be one of a few areas that are recommended to people arriving in the city. Our apartment complex was fairly prestigious it turns out (didn't know this when booking) and we booked it through Booking.com after reading helpful reviews.

On Day 1 of our stay in Jo'burg we woke late, got up slowly and decided that for our first day we would wander to the local mall a couple of blocks away and get some cash out and get some lunch etc.. maybe pick up provisions, but generally get a feel for the immediate area. So around lunchtime we ventured out. We walked to the end of the street and turned the corner. We couldn't have gone more than 400m from our apartment before two official security guards approached us asking where we were going. We said we were headed to the mall and the first guard told us that we needed to get a mall pass to access the mall that day. Apparently the President had been in the local vicinity and the Mall had tighter security. So he reassured us that we could get a mall pass in lots of places and they don't cost anything, you just need to use the machine and it will give you one.

For Security guards they were chatty and helpful, just like everyone else we had met so far, so when they suggested that they could show us where to get a mall pass, we were ok with that, especially as they just fell into step with us and we were still headed in the direction of the mall, so all seemed fine and I guess we were grateful for the pointer on where to go.

I walked in front with the 1st guard and Gaz was immediately behind with the 2nd guard. Guard 1 pointed across the street and exclaimed that we could actually get one just across the road. We crossed the road but I couldn't see where we were headed really, it all just looked like residential apartment buildings or a business office, but he seemed sure of where we were going and was being smiley and chatty as we walked.

As we got to the other side of the road, Guard 1 said that we needed to put a debit or credit card in the machine to validate our ID. He was reassuring that no money would be taken, but we needed the card. I got my card out as we were walking towards some steps that led to the entrance to a building and as we walked up the steps I couldnt make out where we were going because there was a gated entrance and door entry system.

Guard 1 took my card from my hand and said he would show me. Yes at this point alarm bells are ringing and I'm confused about what's happening because he's smiling and being reassuring that this is all ok and that we need to put the card in the machine and it will give me the ticket.

I notice that Gaz is not with me. He is at the bottom of the steps and starts calling to me to come back down, but I can't because the guard has my card and is talking rapidly to me in the other ear about pushing the door button. I look at the door and there is no door button. When I look back I can't see my card anymore. I ask for my card and he says it's in the machine.

Confused I look back to him and then to the door entry keypad and I can't work out what scam is happening but all of my senses are now saying something is wrong.

I see my card in his hand and I demand him to give me my card back. He tells me to relax and not to worry and that all is ok, I just need to put in my pin to validate the card as mine and then push the door button to go in and get the mall pass.

Gaz is calling to me, I can't go to him because this man (who is physically intimidating) has my card and is acting like I have nothing to worry about, but I think I do! But maybe I'm wrong and he's being so helpful, but this clearly isn't a mall pass machine and what is he talking about? Is there a language barrier? He seems convinced that this door will open if I just type in my pin and it clearly won't because it's a door keypad to a building I don't know. And then...

I enter my pin in the door keypad.

I think I did it almost to show this guy that it wouldn't make the door open. But who knows why we do things when we're told to and under pressure.

Guard 1 turned around and walked down the steps quickly as Guard 2 ran up the steps to reassure me, telling me everything is ok.

I knew it wasn't. I knew it was bad but my brain was still confused and in the moment I couldn't work out what the scam was.

I shouted at Guard 1 walking away to give me my card back. Guard 2 was blocking my way and told me that his colleague didn't have my card. I shouted and said to give me card back or I was calling the Police.

Guard 2 turned and ran down the steps, and both men jumped into a car that was waiting for them at the kerb and sped away.

Gaz and I were left in shock. The whole exchange from meeting these guys to them taking my card was under 5 minutes.

I knew I had to cancel my card, but my hands were shaking and I couldn't remember where in the App on my phone the function was to freeze the card. I couldn't think straight but I knew I was in trouble and I had to act quickly.

And then less than 2 minutes after getting in that car, my phone buzzed. A notification popped up to say that a transaction had been completed for £1,684 at Everything Apple.

They had my card and they had seen my pin when I pushed the keypad. They had everything they needed.

We spent a couple of hours at the police station only 50m from where this happened and then a couple of hours trying to get in touch with my bank. It was actually the next afternoon that I was able to speak to the Fraud team and after listening to the detail of what happened, they amazingly refunded the full amount.

But I was left shaken and we both felt vulnerable in a big city that we didn't know. When the bank told me that they would refund me the money I burst into tears. When these things happen to you, they happen so rarely that you feel like it's a personal attack, but actually it didn't matter who we were or where we were; Gaz rightly said that we were just very very unlucky and it could have happened in any city in the world. And he's right.

I'm sure reading this you're shaking your head and thinking how foolish we were (particularly me) and how obvious it was that it was a scam. And maybe you're more sceptical than I am, or generally air on the side of caution more than us. I don't know. I can look back at my account of what happened and highlight every mistake I made, and there's a few (starting with accepting help from somebody in the street)! I'm a fairly savvy person and I'm technically proficient, and I knew that something was very very wrong and ultimately I still input my real banking pin. I am still baffled and a bit fascinated by that human instinct to do as we're told. I fully accept that I am a little naïve at times and think the best in people, but I have fairly good instincts and they don't often let me down, even if they did this time.

Now, 2 weeks later, we have travelled from Johannesburg around the North and East of this country, staying in a variety of places and meeting with people of all backgrounds. This country is diverse and beautiful and vast and a few days in Johannesburg does not reflect the reality of this country. And one bad experience on day 1 with two petty

criminals will not be allowed to shape our perceptions of this place. Like most places, there are challenges and things to be aware of, but like most places, there's a lot of great people and a lot of great experiences to be had.

Advice?

1. Well firstly remember that on day 1, week 1, in a new place, you look like a tourist, you sound like a tourist and you probably even smell like a tourist lol. They can tell from the clothes you wear, the way you move, your general behaviours, that you are a tourist and you are unfamiliar with everything. And they will prey on it.
   

2. Don't accept help from people that approach you in the street. Always say no and don't get into conversation. The guys that scammed us looked official, were professional, friendly and convincing - until they weren't. If you are unsure, go into a bar, a restaurant, a shop or better yet a hotel and ask advice from the receptionist.
   

3. Ask questions and advice about where you're going before you leave your accommodation.
   

4. Always look like you know where you're going, even when you don't.
   

5. Don't look at your phone or a map in the street! Go and get a coffee and sit in a cafe before starting to figure out directions etc...
   

6. Only carry the bare essentials and keep your bags secure and guys, keep those phones and wallets in a zipped or buttoned pocket.
   

7. In South Africa your personal data is BIG business and phones are lifted all the time; snatched out of your hand, taken from restaurant and cafe tables etc.... they don't want the handset, they want your data.