“It is believed that criminal elements are visiting the homes of members of the public telling them to hand over banknotes in their possession because of the banknotes have been contaminated with the coronavirus,” the bank said in a statement.

“These criminal elements carry fake SARB identification and provide false receipts in place of the banknotes collected which they purport can be collected from any of the banks.

The central bank says there is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through the use of banknotes and coins.

The bank adds that it would not under any circumstances send employees or representatives to collect cash from the public.

“If members of the public are approached by individuals purporting to be SARB employees or representatives, to hand in their cash, they should refuse and contact local police.”

Jacaranda FM