From Staff Reports
While the phrase “bank jugging” may be unfamiliar to some, the practice is a common and growing one occurring in Texas neighborhoods. The act is described as a scheme in which thieves sit in parking lots to target victims suspected of having large quantities of paper money. As potential victims leave banks, check-cashing stores, or ATMs, the thief will either take the cash directly from the person, break into their car at the location, or follow them to a new area.
Areas reported to be affected include Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Waco.
While Corsicana National Bank and Trust has reported no related robberies at any of their locations, they share the following tips from the Texas Bankers Association how you can protect yourself from becoming a bank jugging victim.
What to watch for:
- A vehicle moving between several parking spaces.
- Occupants of the vehicle never entering the building.
- Vehicles with more than one passenger.
- Vehicles with dark tinted windows or limited visibility to the interior.
Customers can keep safe by doing the following:
- Conceal your bank deposit bags, envelopes, etc as you enter and leave the bank.
- Always keep your cash with you when you go to your next destination. Never leave it or try to hide it in your vehicle.
- Always check your surroundings. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
- When you get back to your car, or are at an ATM drive-through, make sure your doors are locked so no one can force their way in.
- If you feel like you’re being followed, drive straight to the police station or call 911.
- Make the trip to the bank the last stop of your errands.
- If possible, vary the time and the route that you use for bank visits.
