Shoppers Urged To Be On Their Guard For Cash Card Thefts

Police in Herefordshire are warning shoppers to be on their guard following incidents recently involving thefts of credit cards at supermarkets.  

On Tuesday 6 July a woman from Leominster had her card stolen at Sainsbury's in Barton Yard, Hereford. The card was then used to withdraw £150 from an ATM.

The shopper was in her car when a man tapped on the window and asked for directions to the motorway. She got out of her vehicle to help and a map was spread out on her car boot. The man who asked for directions then left in a grey sports car with another man.

She later realised her card was missing and reported the theft to police at 15.43pm on 6 July. She reported that one of the men had a foreign accent, possibly Polish.         

On June 29 a woman in her 70s was the victim of a credit card thief. She was in her car at Tesco supermarket in Orchard Lane, Ledbury, when a man opened the car door and threw a map on to her.

The man, who had a foreign accent, asked directions to London and the woman told him to go away. After the man had left she noticed her black wallet was missing from her handbag which was on her lap.

The offender is described as aged approximately 45 and wearing dark clothing with a light coloured cap. The woman, from Ledbury, reported the theft to police at 11.17am on 29 June. 

A force spokesperson said: "These offenders seem to be targeting elderly females who are alone. They ask for help and the women usually oblige but while the victims are distracted the offenders are stealing their bank cards. If people realise their cards have been stolen they should notify their bank as soon as possible. If you receive a phone call from someone purporting to be from a bank make sure you don't give out any personal information such as your PIN number.

"If you are suspicious of anyone at the tills while you are shopping or when you are in the supermarket car park note down any useful information such as car registration numbers and alert the police by calling 0300 333 3000. Make sure you are not being watched when you use your PIN number at the supermarket tills or ATM machines."         

There have been other similar offences across the West Mercia force area. For more information and advice about personal safety and crime prevention please visit our advice centre .