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August 30, 2024 - 11:30 AM
“Please always remember that not everyone behind you is trustworthy, even if they may look like they are."
A pair of shoppers had their personal identification numbers numbers stolen while making purchases in Kamloops recently and that’s prompted a warning from RCMP to protect your PIN.
A person had their wallet stolen, Aug. 20, while they were being distracted in a shopping mall parking lot, according to an RCMP media release.
Money was withdrawn from the victim’s bank account using the PIN they had just punched in at the checkout in a store.
“It’s believed the person was followed at the checkout and watched by someone who was spying for a pin number,” RCMP media liaison officer Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said in the release. “In the parking lot, while loading their vehicle with the purchased items, a person distracted the victim while another person stole their wallet.”
In this case, RCMP are looking for two suspects.
The first was described as a Caucasian male, 6’ tall, 250 to 275 lb. with brown hair, and a moustache and beard. He was wearing a white shirt and shorts, and a camo ball cap.
The second suspect is a female with an olive complexion, 5’4” tall, approximately 120 lb. with a slim build and long dark hair parted in the centre. She was wearing a white T-shirt with a black and white print on the front, and a dark blue or black ankle length skirt.
RCMP said there was another case of theft and fraud earlier this summer involving the use of a PIN acquired while the victim was using their debit card.
“Although it’s unknown if these incidents are connected in anyway, in both occurrences they involved the use of a stolen card, accompanied by a stolen corresponding pin number,” Cpl. Evelyn said.
“Please always remember that not everyone behind you is trustworthy, even if they may look like they are. Making a habit out of covering up your pin number is a good way to help reduce being targeted by an opportunistic thief.”
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2024-27423.
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