Warning over £27,000 Shropshire bank cards crime spree
Elderly and vulnerable people across Shropshire have had £27,000 taken from bank accounts over the past two months by thieves who steal bank cards after watching their victims entering pin numbers in cash machines at supermarket tills.
The cards have been used to make large purchases or buy large sums or foreign currency at travel agents, police revealed today.
Officers have warned communities, including shop assistants, to be on their guard and report suspicious activity. And they say friends and family should stress to potential victims the need to be vigilant.
Detective Constable Steve Davies, of Shrewsbury CID said there had been a spate of distraction thefts across the force area.
Over the past eight weeks a number of elderly and vulnerable people have had around £27,000 taken from their bank accounts including a woman from Oswestry who saw £20,000 stripped from her savings.
Other offences were committed in Hereford, Market Drayton and Shrewsbury.
"The victims have been followed around supermarkets or to ATM machines where they have been watched as they enter their pin numbers," Detective Constable Davies said.
"They have then been followed into car parks or to their home addresses where the offenders have produced a piece of paper and a pen and have asked for a route to be written down or marked out.
"While the victims were distracted they had their bank cards stolen and these have then been used across the country to make large purchases. Some cards have also been used at travel agents to purchase large sums of foreign currency which is then converted back into sterling."
He said the offenders had been described as speaking with broken English and potentially having an Eastern European accent.
"Genuine people will not pressurise you into giving them directions. If you are approached and made to feel flustered or uncomfortable please alert people around you and then contact the police.
"I would also urge retail staff to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. If you believe someone is being followed or approached by someone then please contact the police.
"Family and friends can also help by alerting their loved ones and making them aware of what they should do if they ever find themselves in a similar situation."
If you think you may have witnessed anything suspicious please call West Mercia Police on 101.
Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers on telephone number 0800 555 111 with non urgent information.
