Protect your PIN: Fraudsters ripoff Kamloops shoppers | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Protect your PIN: Fraudsters ripoff Kamloops shoppers

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“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Money was withdrawn from the victim’s bank account using the PIN they had just punched in at the checkout in a store.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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