Leading cellular network Vodacom spends over R20 million annually on combating cellular theft and fraud, and blacklists more stolen cellphones than any other GSM cellular network in the world, the company revealed today.
According to Joan Joffe, Group Executive - Corporate Affairs of Vodacom, there are almost five million cellular users on the Vodacom network alone and more than 90% of all new Vodacom customers are prepaid.
"It`s no wonder criminals have realised that prepaid cellular airtime is as good as cash and are selling counterfeit Vodago prepaid vouchers. However, Vodacom has implemented several security devices for its prepaid vouchers so criminals will not be able to trick the public into buying worthless counterfeit vouchers," said Ms Joffe.
She said Vodago prepaid users should arm themselves with the following information:
1.The most important weapon you have against any kind of crime is your common sense. If a person of dubious appearance approaches you in the street and offers to sell you Vodago vouchers for a ridiculously low price, then alarm bells should immediately sound.
2.All Vodago vouchers are sealed in a clear plastic cover. Do NOT buy a Vodago voucher that is not in its original plastic covering.
3.Authentic Vodago vouchers have holograms printed on the back of the cards.
4.Every Vodago voucher should have an expiry date printed on the back of the card. No legitimate dealer will sell you a Vodago voucher that has expired.
5.Every Vodago voucher has its own unique card number printed on the back of the card and no two cards should have the same card number.
6.Retain any recharge voucher you buy until your recharge has been successful. Then if there is a problem recharging your airtime, you can approach the person who sold you the voucher or Vodago Customer Care.
Ms Joffe Vodacom added that Vodacom was continuing to crack down on cellphone crime in a number of ways.
"The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) is the cellular industry`s blacklist and represents a list of the serial numbers of cellphones reported stolen and subsequently placed on the EIR. When a cellphone is connected to the network, the handset`s serial number is read by the network. If the handset is listed as stolen on the blacklist, it is disabled electronically and becomes unusable. Vodacom blacklists more stolen cellphones than any other GSM cellular network in the world.
"Vodacom also set up an information line (124 from a Vodacom cellphone and 082 124 from a Telkom phone), which details six steps one needs to follow to successfully blacklist a cellphone.
"Vodacom has developed electronic methods of topping-up prepaid airtime that are more secure than physically purchasing airtime vouchers. These methods include Cointel credit card recharge, Corporate Top-up and Internet recharge, amongst others," she concluded.
Should you be offered Vodago prepaid vouchers that you reasonably suspect to be counterfeit or you have information on any other cellphone-related crime, please call Vodago Customer Care on 114 from a Vodacom cellphone, or 082 114 from a Telkom line. Alternatively, please contact your local police station.
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