The following warnings are taken from the Palmers Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team newsletter for February.
PLEASE WARN ALL ELDERLY RELATIVES AND NEIGHBOURS to use a cash machine inside a bank if at all possible. An elderly male was using a machine on Aldermans Hill last week when another male took his card as soon as it was withdrawn after two males distracted him and saw him put his PIN in. The card was cancelled straight away and no money was taken.
There are also males and females approaching elderly or vulnerable disabled badge users in and around Lodge Drive Car Park, telling them they need to register their card at the cash point. Once at the cash machine they are told to insert their card, put their PIN in and then cash is taken from their account without their knowledge. Disabled badges do NOT have to be registered so do not fall for this scam to get your card and PIN and cash.
Please be very careful if you need to get large amounts of cash out across the counter in banks. There have been a number of victims who have withdrawn money, which has been put in an envelope and handed to them by the cashier. They have then been followed and at the first opportunity, the envelope has been stolen with the cash. A couple of bags have been slit and the others have been taken by distraction from bags. Please do not withdraw cash if you can set up a direct debit or complete a bank transfer.