Who’s Looking Over Your Shoulder?

Police in Malvern are warning shoppers to be on their guard when using cash machines or paying at the tills after at least two incidents where bank cards have been stolen and money withdrawn from accounts using the pin number.

It is thought thieves are watching people enter their pin numbers, approaching them shortly afterwards and then distracting them in order to take their bank cards.

The latest incident happened in the car park of Waitrose in Edith Walk on Tuesday, 15 November at 11.45am when a woman who was about to leave the supermarket was approached by a man with a map asking for directions.

When she got home, she realised her bank cards had been stolen from her handbag which she had placed in a footwell of her car, and £300 had been withdrawn from her account using the pin.

PC Cliff Green from Link Local Policing Team said: "The offenders' usual technique is to observe the victim using their card, obtain the pin number and note where they put the card.

"The offenders will then follow the victim to their car where they will ask directions using a map, persuading the victim to get out of their car.

"Whilst the victim is distracted, another person will enter the car and take the card, purse or bag. The card is then used within a very short space of time to withdraw cash.

"They seem to be working in teams of two or three. The teams will vary and will not always be the same people.

"I would urge anyone who is asked for directions in this way to either ignore the person or make sure they lock their car before going to help them.

"Also, covering the keypad on pin machines when you enter your number will stop prying eyes from seeing your pin.

"Finally, I would ask anyone who thinks they are - or witnesses someone else - being distracted as described above, to call us immediately."

Incidents can be reported by dialling 101, however in an emergency always call 999.

Further crime prevention advice can be found on our website, www.westmercia.police.uk

Issued: Tuesday, 22 November 2011