Beware the tollgate card skimming sting – arrest proves I wasn’t dreaming
This story caught my eye for two reasons. First, because having been stung in an identical way, it provided official proof there really are crooked tollgate booth operators. Second, because it will encourage tollroad companies to appreciate a complaining customer is actually your friend. Credit card skimming is not uncommon in South Africa. It's a quick and easy crime, requiring only a quick swipe of the mag stripe through an easily hidden machine which records information used by gangs to plunder card accounts. Two and a half years ago after my card was skimmed by an N3 tollgate booth operator, I spent time explaining to the company how I knew it had happened – the card was only used there – even narrowing down the booth. The N3 toll operator told me I was dreaming, its employees are all honest and to stop complaining. Ever since, I've kept a beady eye when handing my card to tollgate operators. And suggest you do too. Now, with evidence proven through an arrest, its the companies themselves which should change the way they operate. In-booth cameras would be a good start. – Alec Hogg
By Nkosinathi Sengwayo, News24 Correspondent
