Criminal police warn of a diversionary tactic involving card swapping
In the Groß-Gerau district, several fraudulent thefts from ATMs have occurred in recent weeks. Police report that a total of seven similar cases have been reported since the end of January.
On February 6, a 79-year-old woman was making a transfer at an ATM in a bank branch in Nauheim. While she was doing so, an unknown man approached her and pointed out a banknote that he claimed was lying on the floor. Using this distraction, the perpetrator stole the woman's bank card and replaced it with another, previously stolen card.
Subsequently, several withdrawals and transfers amounting to several thousand euros were made.
Perpetrators steal PINs and swap cards
According to the property crime unit 21/22 of the Rüsselsheim criminal police, the perpetrators follow a similar pattern:
They distract their victims, steal their PINs, and then secretly swap the bank card for another one. In some cases, statement printers have also been tampered with, preventing inserted cards from being returned. The victims are often harassed in these situations.
The police are therefore issuing a strong warning against this scam.
Police behavioral tips
- Maintain a sufficient distance from other people at the vending machine
- Politely but firmly remind pushy people to keep their distance
- When entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your free hand or an object
- If a card is confiscated or if someone else's card is suddenly in your possession, involve bank staff or other customers
- Outside of opening hours, notify the police
- Check bank statements regularly
- In case of suspected card theft or loss, immediately contact the emergency card blocking hotline 116 116 and file a police report
The police provide further information on ATM fraud schemes online at www.polizei-beratung.de .
(RED/ots)
Featured image: ots
