THE Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) has advised customers to be watchful when using debit cards especially when transacting abroad.

In the last few days, some retail banking customers in Zambia have reported suspicious cases involving debit cards on their accounts to their banks.

BAZ chairman Savior Chibiya in a statement said initial investigations by the association reveal that some cards could have been replicated or skimmed and are now being used abroad to transact on both Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and points of sale machines.

Mr Chibiya said a number of banks have taken various protective and preventive measures to protect customers’ funds and ensure customers are not inconvenienced.

“In the meantime, to avoid inconvenience, it is advisable to contact your bank before you travel outside the country as some banks may have reduced the limits in certain high risk countries as precautionary measures,” he said.

He also urged customers to get in touch with their banks should they notice any suspicious transactions on their accounts for investigations and appropriate action to ensure customers are not inconvenienced.

The association has further warned customers not to write their personal identification numbers(PIN) on debit or credit cards or respond to emails that request them to provide information via emails.
BAZ has warned customers against lending debit/ credit cards to anyone.

“Keep an eye on your credit card every time you use it….periodically check your account balance and transactions by utilising online banking, by telephone or by printing interim statements at the ATM,” reads the statement.

BAZ has further warned customers to be wary of people trying to help them especially when an ATM “eats” their card, as they may be trying to steal their pin and account number using remote devices.

The association has urged customers to ensure that, when withdrawing money from the ATM machines, no one sees their PIN numbers.

BAZ adds that in the event that the ATM transactions for one reason or another fails, customers should notify security personnel manning the ATM and check for any suspicious gadget in the ATM card slot.

COPPERBELT University (CBU) students on Saturday evening smashed two motor vehicle windscreens in a rumpus that followed a power outage.

Copperbelt University Students Union president, Mark Munafumpa and police told reporters in Kitwe yesterday the unruly behaviour was sparked by a disruption in electricity supply.

Campus security personnel apprehended two students in the confusion that happened between 19:00 hours and 21:00 hours.

Mr Munafumpa said shortly after electricity went off, some students ran amok and
went to Jambo Drive where they started throwing missiles and caused commotion among motorists.

He, however, said it was yet to be established whether the protest was actually sparked by the power outage or the students took advantage of the darkness to air their grievances over irregularities in meal allowance payments.

“I am made to believe that protest was over the issue of meal allowance and not the power outage because there are some omissions in payment of the allowances,” he said.

He some motorists were stoned although he could not tell how many vehicles were involved and the extent of the damage caused.

“On behalf of the union, we condemn the students’ action. Their behaviour was not necessary at all,” Mr Munafumpa said.

And police said two vehicles had their windscreens smashed by the students, and that no arrests were made.

CBU registrar Allan Ilunga said some students had not been paid their meal allowances.

Mr Ilunga said the affected students were either those who had not submitted their bank account numbers or those who had given wrong information.