The festive season in South Africa is a time of braais, beach trips, and winding down after a long year. But while you’re planning your holiday, a different kind of planning is also underwayone that targets the very comfort and security of your home.
Security experts are sounding the alarm on a sharp and sophisticated rise in opportunistic crime, with criminals employing clever disguises and psychological tricks to catch homeowners off guard during the busy holiday period.
The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Gone are the days of simple break-ins. The modern criminal is a master of deception. According to Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group, the oldest trick in the bookposing as a legitimate visitoris now more effective than ever.
“We have reiterated the danger of opening the gate to strangers on many occasions,” Hattingh warns. “Criminals just find more innovative guises to successfully gain access to a property.”
These aren’t just random opportunists. They are often skilled impersonators posing as municipal workers, fibre technicians, or repairmen sent by your complex’s body corporate. They operate with a chilling confidence, having often studied your household’s routine to strike when you are most vulnerable.
The Distraction Game is Evolving
One of the most dangerous tactics is the coordinated distraction. Criminals rarely work alone. While one person engages you at the front door with a convincing story, an accomplice may be slipping in through an unlocked side gate or window.
Hattingh highlights that these schemes are becoming increasingly elaborate. “Even individuals with babies can be part of distraction schemes,” she cautions. The goal is to exploit your compassion and courtesy, using it as a tool to breach your first and most important line of defence: your perimeter.
Your Holiday Safety Checklist
Staying safe this festive season doesn’t require living in fear, but it does demand a shift from passive hope to active vigilance. Make these simple steps part of your daily routine.
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Verify, Then Trust: Never open your gate for an unexpected visitor. Always ask for official identification and verify their purpose. If they claim to be from a company or sent by your landlord, call to confirm using a number you have on file, not one they provide you.
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Communicate from Safety: If you don’t have an intercom, communicate through a window or from a secure area. There is no obligation to open your door.
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Keep Your Panic Button Close: Always have your security company’s remote panic button within arm’s reach, especially when answering the door. If something feels off, trust your instinct and press it.
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Brief Everyone at Home: Ensure every family member and domestic worker understands and follows these rules consistently. A single moment of let-up is all it takes.
The festive season should be a time of joy and relaxation, not anxiety. By staying alert and making security a non-negotiable habit, you can ensure your holiday memories are happy ones, safeguarding the peace and safety of your home.
{Source: TheSouthAfrican}
