Bank card theft trick to avoid

[David SE22]

Yesterday my bank card was stolen from the ATM at Sainsbury’s, Dog Kennel Hill. It may be helpful to others to describe what happened and suggest how to avoid it.

I put my bank card into the ATM, entered my PIN and pressed the button to withdraw cash. Then a young man approached me from behind and warned me that the machine swallowed one's card - which it appeared to have done.

What had actually happened was that the man had viewed me entering my PIN and then, as soon as I turned towards him, pressed the "return card" button and removed the card without my seeing.

So I would advise:

(1) Always shield the keypad when entering your PIN at an ATM.

(2) If someone speaks to you, keep looking straight ahead and put your hand over the slot where the card has been inserted.

(3) If all that fails and you lose your card, cancel it at once! (I can do so using my banking app.)

The rogue who stole my card promptly made several cash withdrawals, which the bank has very decently refunded to me in full.

[Happyme5]

Thank you for the warning. 

[SpringTime]

Sound advice, thanks x

[Moovart]

A similar thing happened to me at Sainsbury's local near the library.   The guy misjudged it so didn't get my card but imo it's good to shout very loudly at the person to get away from you and don't let them push you away from the ATM. 

Genuine people don't come right up close to you when you're using an ATM so if someone does that then yell to draw attention to them.

I reported it to the police who did check CCTV as the perpetrator got into a cab. He was the driver!  Unfortunately they couldn't see his reg number on the CCTV even though they could see him.  The camera on the ATM wasn't working annoyingly.

[Happyme5]

Thank you for sharing.  We need to keep this type of thread running so all can see and be aware. 

[Guest Dulwichway]

Sorry to hear this! thankfully you got refunded, but the garbage got some free money. Any specific description of the little scrote?as to be extra aware if possibly spotted before making a withdrawal attempt?