15/07/2026
𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒
On Wednesday, 15 July, Douglasdale SAPS and the Douglasdale CPF had the pleasure of joining the Senior Citizens Coffee Club at Dinos Restaurant in Lonehill for an informative crime and fraud awareness talk.
Sergeant Seala shared practical advice on how to recognise and avoid fraud and cybercrime, encouraging members to remain cautious both online and when carrying out everyday banking transactions. He encouraged members to be cautious when using free public Wi-Fi, as unsecured networks can place personal and banking information at risk. Members were reminded never to share their banking PINs, passwords or one-time passwords (OTPs), and to be wary of criminals who impersonate banks, government departments, family members or well-known companies in an attempt to obtain personal information or money. Members were also warned not to click on links received via SMS, WhatsApp or email unless they were certain the sender was legitimate, as these are commonly used by criminals to steal personal and banking information. They were encouraged to exercise caution when making contactless ("tap-and-go") payments, keep their bank cards secure at all times, and regularly monitor their bank accounts for any suspicious transactions.
He also encouraged members to exercise caution when buying or selling items on online marketplaces and to be alert to extortion scams and other online schemes designed to pressure victims into making payments or sharing personal information. Should members become victims of fraud, they were encouraged to report it to their bank immediately and open a criminal case at any police station without delay.
Sergeant Maluleka shared valuable crime prevention advice on theft out of motor vehicles, common robberies and armed robberies. He encouraged members to remain vigilant and highlighted the importance of taking simple precautions to reduce the opportunity for criminals to target them. Members were encouraged to avoid displaying cellphones, jewellery or large amounts of cash in public, to remain alert when visiting shopping centres or using ATMs, and to ensure their vehicles were locked and that handbags, laptops and other valuables were kept out of sight. Members were also encouraged to report suspicious activity to the SAPS without delay, as timely reporting can help prevent crime and protect others in the community.
The morning concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, giving members the opportunity to ask questions and receive practical advice from both officers.
On behalf of the Douglasdale CPF, Freda Boiles thanked Douglasdale SAPS for their continued commitment to educating and supporting our community through crime awareness initiatives. A special thank you was also extended to Lorna and Adele for their warm hospitality and for inviting Douglasdale SAPS and the Douglasdale CPF to spend the morning with the wonderful members of the Senior Citizens Coffee Club.
Knowledge is one of our strongest tools in the fight against crime. By working together, sharing information and remaining vigilant, we can help create a safer Douglasdale Policing Precinct for everyone.
Issued by
Freda Boiles
Douglasdale CPF PRO
Lonehill Seniors
Douglasdale CPF Sector 4
