Scam artists targeting Shropshire and Mid Wales shoppers
Scam artists are targeting shoppers across Shropshire and Mid Wales with a new distraction theft.
One woman in Oswestry had £20,000 taken from her account after falling victim to the scam, which has also been reported in Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Market Drayton and Broseley.
Police on both sides of the border say they are urging people to be vigilant if approached.
Shoppers are being watched entering their PIN code into machines in supermarkets before then being followed to the car park.
They are then being approached by people with a map asking for directions who then manage to steal the card and make large transactions.
Sian George, Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman, said: "We are urging shoppers in supermarkets to be alert as since May we have had reports of this scam.
"The incidents have involved offenders following victims to a till, where they then record the PIN number of the victim's bank card. They then signal to an associate that they have got the PIN number of the card, and then another offender follows the victim to their car where they distract them.
"They usually do this by asking for directions and asking them to produce a map. While the victim is distracted another offender steals the bank cards.
"They will then withdraw money from the account or purchase goods online."
West Mercia Police said earlier this week that a woman in Oswestry had £20,000 taken by the scammers.
A man and a woman with foreign accents had watched her take money from a machine in the centre of Oswestry before following her home and asking for directions.
The money was then taken by transactions at various locations around the UK.
The offenders obtained the PIN for the card by observing the victim at the cash point. Anyone with information on the scam should contact the police on 101.
