Police raise shoppers alert again

Welshpool Police have raised the alert level to warn shoppers that the PIN fraud which we reported two weeks ago is still happening in town.

We reported how one shopper lost thousands of pounds after a man watched her type in her PIN number in a Welshpool shop, then followed her to the car before causing a distraction and pinching her card. Before she knew it thousands had been transferred from her account in minutes.

And now police have revealed that it has continued and have asked us to inform our readers to be vigilant.

“Welshpool Police are asking that shoppers are especially vigilant when using their bank cards,” a spokesperson told us this morning.

“A number of recent incidents have highlighted that thieves are increasingly trying to note the PIN numbers of shoppers and then using distraction methods to steal the bank card and use it to withdraw or transfer cash.

“We are reminding residents to be aware of where others are stood when using their PIN numbers, and to always shield it from view.

“Any suspicious incidents or attempts to steal cards should be reported to Police on 101, or if appropriate, 999.”