The first incident happened on Friday (Nov 15) when the 85 year old victim was at the Sainsburys Store in Bells Brook, Biggleswade. The victim had noticed that someone was watching her pay for her shopping using her bank card. When she returned to her car a woman approached her and asked if she wanted help putting her shopping in to the back of her car. The victim agreed and a short time later a man approached and told the girl it was time to leave. On returning home the victim realised that her bank card was missing and when she contacted the bank she was told it had been used several times.
The second incident happened on Wednesday (Nov 20) when an 82 year old victim was approached by a woman as she was putting her shopping in to the back of her car in West Street, Leighton Buzzard. The woman, who is described as having an Eastern European appearance and spoke with an accent, asked the victim for change. The victim removed her purse from her bag to illustrate that she didn’t have any change and the woman left. However, shortly after the victim realised her bank card and credit card had been taken.
Gary Maxey, investigating, is keen to remind members of the public to take extra care when they are out shopping and to ensure they protect their pin numbers and payment cards.
He said: “I would warn anyone who is out shopping, especially over the busy festive period, to ensure they take extra precautions to ensure they are not being overlooked when using payment cards. Always cover the key pad when entering your pin number, and if anyone is standing too close to you, politely ask them to step away or alert the store security staff.
“Often people will use a number of tactics to distract and trick people in to revealing where they keep their cards and cash. Asking for change or saying that you’ve dropped something on the floor can be a ruse so please avoid getting your purse or wallet out in public.”
Anyone with information relating to these crimes can contact Gary Maxey, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively, contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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