LONDON, England (Only.Finance.com), June 12, 2008:Police in Harrow have advised pensioners to use cash-points with extra vigilance after a recent spate of cash-card robberies involving the elderly.
Criminal gangs are known to be stealing credit cards from older people in the area and twenty five thefts have been reported in recent weeks.
A typical robbery involves one thief observing the pin number whilst it is typed into the ATM then distracting the victim’s attention whilst an accomplice cancels the transaction and swipes the card as it is ejected by the machine.
Police believe that the thefts are carried out by organised gangs rather than lone criminals and are urging the elderly to use cash points with greater caution by shielding their pin number from view.
“What we need is to re-educate more elderly residents who are using cash machines and make them more aware of this offence and that it is growing,” said Sergeant Steve Nicholas of Harrow Police. “They have to be more guarded and shield their pins when using cash points.”
Two men have been arrested in conjunction with the crime after a police operation.
© OnlyFinance.com 2008
