Lancashire Police warning after men try to steal people's bank cards at Leyland cash machines

Lancashire Police are investigating two reports from Hough Lane, where two pensioners were targeted by thieves yesterday.

The ruse has been reported around the country and sees thieves targeting mainly elderly shoppers at ATMs.

In Leyland, a man and a woman were targeted in two separate incidents yesterday lunch time - one at the cash point outside Halifax bank in Hough Lane, and another at the machine outside Asda in Towngate.

Both were approached by a pair of men while withdrawing cash, who engaged the victims in conversation while sneaking a peek at their pin numbers.

One of the men distracted the victims while the other snatched their cards from the machines.

Lancashire Police are investigating and have urged people to be vigilant when using cash machines.

PCSO Dewhurst said: “We received two reports about incidents on Hough Lane yesterday happening around lunch time.

“While utilising cash points, two men were trying to steal people's bank cards and look at their cards pin information.

“The crime reports are being investigated by the police, please be vigilant while using any cash points.

“Any suspicious activity please call 999 for emergencies (danger to life, crime in progress) and 101 for non emergency police matters (reporting crimes that aren't happening now, general inquiries).

“Be sure to inform your bank and the store if you feel anything suspicious is happening while using the cash machine.

“If you are unsure there is usually cash machines located inside the bank. Please inform friends and family about this matter.”

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“My mum had her card stolen in broad daylight”

The daughter of one victim, added: “To be more specific on this, they stand behind you at the ATM and distract you and take your card out the machine (not sure how).

“The person whose card it is thinks the card hasn't come out of the ATM, so the men advise to press ‘this button’, then enter your pin and the card will come out.

“My mum had her card stolen by slight of hand from the machine outside Halifax in Hough Lane. Two young Asian-looking men. One at each side of her.

“They act like they are being helpful but they have your card and your pin. Thankfully my mum didn’t put her pin in for them to see.

“The police have found her card cut-up outside the Asda cash machine, where another elderly gentleman was targeted.”

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Stay safe

Many elderly and vulnerable people have fallen victim to this type of crime, often specifically targeted by thieves who keep an eye out for people when they are shopping.

Those using bank cards at tills or ATMs should be vigilant when entering your PIN and to make sure you are not being observed. If you have been targeted by this type of crime please report it, if you have elderly or vulnerable relatives please share this advice.