Beware of ATM kidnappers!

They’re an increasing breed, these ATM (automated teller machine) holdup men – and they’re multiplying so fast that you just have to watch your back (your front and sides as well) all the time, when you need to use an ATM.

Take this scenario: A six-year-old girl strays from her unwitting mom while the latter is paying for her purchase at the cash register in a crowded mall. Before the girl could shout for help, she’s spirited away to another place. Somebody tells the mom that her daughter has been kidnapped and orders her to withdraw money from an ATM as ransom. Of course, the kidnappers accompany her to the nearest ATM in the building and at knife or gunpoint, force her to withdraw all her money.

A recent victim was kidnapped fresh from a trip abroad. Apparently, the ATM kidnapper followed her all the way from the airport to her home. She was driven to the nearest ATM and ordered to withdraw the maximum limit of P50,000.

This is called ATM kidnapping, according to indefatigable anti-crime crusader Tessy Ang See of Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran. "Which is why you must be very alert at all times, never let your guard down when you’re in public. They strike anytime, anywhere. Especially now, with times getting harder and harder. It usually peaks during the Christmas season."

Two years ago, Kaisa came out with a flier to warn the public against ATM holdups. "I couldn’t retrieve the file anymore, but here’s what I can recall," says Tessy who shares these handy tips:

• Before going inside an ATM, be alert and on the look-out for people who are obviously lurking around.

• As much as possible, make withdrawals during daytime. If at night, do it when there are still people around.

• Do not go to an isolated ATM off the main road. Presence of other vehicles and other people is a deterrent to crime.

• If you’re riding a public vehicle, such as an FX, and plan to use an ATM, do not bring out your card in full view of other passengers, or even search through your bag to see if you have the card with you. It alerts your co-passengers as to your purpose.

• Make sure that there are no other people inside the ATM booth. Lock the door when you go in. Do not go in while there are others inside, even if the booth has two or three ATMs. This is especially true after office hours when the guards are not as vigilant anymore (and may even be sleepy).

• If you’re driving a car and plan to stop by an ATM, make sure you lock your car door and close your windows, even if you’re sure it will take you only a short while. You never know if someone suddenly enters your car and hides there waiting for you.

• If you have children with you when you go to an ATM, let them alight from the car with you. Do not leave them unattended inside the car, even if you lock the doors and windows.

• Do not leave your receipt on the machine or throw it on the floor in full view of unscrupulous people who intentionally wait to see how much balance you have.

• Do not keep a routine of withdrawing from just one specific bank.

• It is best to go to an ATM where there’s a guard outside the door, not just inside the building or the bank itself.

• Keep the money you get inside your bag immediately. Do not count it while walking outside the door. If it’s a large amount, it is best you keep half in your pocket and half in your bag.

• Familiarize yourself with the immediate vicinity where the ATM is located. Do not go to one that leads to dead ends and alleys where the holdup men can easily get away.

Kaisa doesn’t sleep – its 24-hour hot lines are 526-6798 and 527-6083.

Reading between the headlines

Yes, we live in the Information Age. But the information highway could drive us nuts, and there’s as much disinformation (on health and related issues) around us. To separate the junk from the genuine, Food Facts Asia gives these really helpful tips:

• Look at the source of information. A professional medical organization or government department is more reliable than an unknown or anonymous person or group.

• If the news item mentions a specific health condition such as diabetes or cancer, look for comment from reputable organizations solely devoted to that disease.

• Beware of dramatic statements like "miracle cure," "scientific breakthrough." Scientific discovery is rarely revolutionary – it is much more commonly an evolutionary process which progresses slowly and gradually.

• Professional communicators such as health professionals or journalists should also consider checking information sources by contacting local scientific experts, such as university, medical professionals or organizations (such as AFIC; e-mail info@afic.org.).

Go site-seeing and visit the websites of these voluntary organizations dedicated to exposing fraudulent claims and health quackery:

• www.ncahforg – National Council Against Health Fraud

• www.hcrc.or/nforum – Healthcare Reality Check

Other useful sites you can check out are:

• www.foodstandards.go.au – Food Standards Australia and New Zealand

• www.cdc.org – Centre for Disease Control

• www.bio.org – for the latest on all aspects of biotechnology

• www.americanheart.org – for info and statistics on cardiovascular disease with updates on nutrition and other health topics

• www.idf.org – for updates on the latest research and medical advice – International Diabetes Federation

• www.osteofound.org. – Osteoporosis Foundation

It really pays to read between the (head)lines!