Supermarket Distraction Thieves

We’ve recently been notified by Thames Valley Police that during the past week fraudsters are operating in Bracknell town again. They are targeting supermarket shoppers, who used either a credit or debit card to make payments by way of entering a 4 digit PIN at the point of sale.

The offenders sometimes appear to be on their own but are likely to be working in small teams.
They target lone female supermarket shoppers, taking note of the PIN as the victim taps it into the keypad at the till. They then follow the victim out into the car park where they wait until the shopping has been loaded and the victim has gotten into her car at which point one offender will knock on the driver’s side window claiming to want to show the victim some damage they saw been caused to her car.

As the victim steps out of her car, another offender opens a car door and steals the victim’s handbag.
The offenders having both the pin and the victim’s cards then withdraw cash from an ATM or purchase goods from stores or online, all before the victim is aware of the theft.

To prevent yourself from becoming another victim Thames Valley Police and PPP would like to remind you of the ‘Golden Rules’ regarding your PIN:

• Never letting anyone see what your PIN is, ensure you cover the keypad as you enter your PIN
  Never write your PIN down
• Never say your PIN out loud, to anyone
  No one in any bank ever needs to know your PIN, no Police Officer or other legitimate investigator will ever need to know it.
  KEEP IT SECRET!

Share this message with family and friends and on social media to stop others becoming victims.