Owen Sound police are warning the public to be aware of 'sleight of hand' fraud.
Police say on Tuesday (April 23rd), a 67 year old woman reported she had been the victim of a theft.
Police say the victim used her debit card at a local business and believed an unknown woman was trying to watch her enter her PIN number into the keypad at the register.
The victim told police she left the store and was approached by a man who tried to give her a $10 and a $20 bill claiming she had dropped the money.
The man was reportedly adamant she put the money in her wallet and began touching her wallet showing her where the money should go.
Police believe the man took the woman's bank card from her wallet using sleight of hand.
They say the bank card was later used to take $980 out of a TD ATM, and later used at a bank in Owen Sound where $700 in US dollars was purchased ($974 CAD).
Police say the man is described as Non-Caucasian, 5 foot 7, 55-60 years old, weighing about 165 lbs, with a medium build and dark hair.
They say he was wearing dark rimmed glasses, a black windbreaker jacket (no logo), black baggy pants and was believed to have an accent.
If you have any information contact the Owen Sound Police Service at 519-376-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or securely at www.cstip.ca.
Police are reminding the public that criminals are often clever and use many methods to commit crimes. The have some tips that you should always consider to protect yourself from theft and fraud:
– Always cover your PIN when pressing the numbers on the debit key pad or when at a bank machine
– Never write your PIN on a paper that you carry with your debit or credit card
– Consider a TAP feature for your card instead of a PIN requirement for purchases
– Always request a paper receipt for a debit or credit purchase
– Never allow anyone to distract you while entering a PIN at the store or at the bank machine
– Never allow an unknown person to assist you with your wallet, purse or handbag if you didn't ask them for their help
– Do not allow a suspect to confuse you with kind words or insistence that they are trying to help
– If you believe that someone has watched you enter a PIN, change your number as soon as possible or call the telephone number on the back of your card and inform your bank's security official