Down and Out in Durban

After an idyllic time at the Umhlanga Beach, we decided to go and get some treats (mocha for Brooke, ice cream for the rest), but first we wanted to get some cash from an ATM. We found an ABSA machine and waited for the man in front of us to finish. He stepped away from the machine and gestured to Ben that the machine was available. Sophia asked Ben if she could push some of the buttons. Sure, he said. Ben took out his card and tried to put it into the slot. It didn't go in right away. The man who had just vacated the machine stepped over and said, it gets stuck sometimes, let me see your card. Ben (stupidly) gave it to him. The man put it into the slot, at least that's what Ben thought. Upon reflection, he used some slight of hand to pocket the card while convincing Ben that his card was in the machine. Meanwhile, another man was talking to Marin, asking him how old he was and where he was from. Upon reflection, we realized this was meant to distract Brooke. The first man was telling Ben that he needed to put in his PIN or else the machine would keep his card. Ben told him that he didn't want to put in his PIN with him standing there. He gave a very earnest and believable Oh, of course, I'm sorry, and stepped away. Then the first man started walking away and the second man came over and also told Ben he needed to put in his PIN immediately or else the card would disappear. Then the first man came back because Brooke said to him, Excuse me, sir, his card?! He came back and said You still don't have it?! Then he disappeared and the other guy said, where did that first guy go? Ben said, he left. He said, I'll go and find him. Brooke said, Do you have your card? Ben said, I think that guy took it. I think you should go after him. Ben ran up the street in the direction of them, but rounding a corner, he saw them nowhere. We had been robbed.

We went to the closest hotel, the Beverly Hills Hotel (later we surmised the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, who would play England two days later, were staying there). The hotel staff were very helpful, calling security and the local police and letting us make a call to our bank. By the time Ben canceled the card, the thieves had already made two transactions totaling almost $1000.

It put a damper on our day, to say the least. In fact, as of this journal (June 17), we still don't have a replacement card, though the stolen amount was insured and has been replaced. It made us appreciate several things: that we were in no way harmed physically, our kids showed poise and compassion, we were helped by a whole bunch of people at the hotel, and we had a backup credit card that we've been using.

Lesson learned: Don't trust anyone trying to help you at an ATM, and, if you sense that something's wrong, it probably is.

Bigger thing to remember: While a few people may want to steal from and hurt you, the vast majority of people are good and helpful and kind. This has certainly been our experience.