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Scammers work together to distract their victims, allowing them to make off with credit or debit cards.
Nine of the crimes have been reported to police since last January, when a woman who was a customer at the Royal Oak Walmart noticed her debit card was missing after using it to make a purchase.
Calgary police have released a number of photos of suspects believed to be connected to the crimes. Calgary Police Service
In March, police said a man leaving the Costco at 75 East Hills Blvd. SE was approached by four suspects who took his wallet and put it back in his pocket.
The man told police he felt something was wrong and when he checked his wallet, he realized his money and credit cards had been stolen.
He reported the theft to store staff, who then alerted the police.
That same month, a woman said a man and a woman approached her as she was leaving the Beacon Hill Costco location.
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Scammers work together to distract their victims, allowing them to make off with credit or debit cards. Calgary Police Service
The couple left the store before her, she said.
Soon after, the woman noticed withdrawals from her bank account and discovered her wallet had been stolen from her purse.
“Over the past month, six additional distraction thefts have been reported to our investigators, and we ask that citizens be aware of this scam and their surroundings while shopping,” police said in a news release.
“We believe that many people are working together in groups to steal financial information and target victims, often elderly people, at retail locations that do not offer contactless payments, such as paying by tap.”
Six additional distraction thefts have occurred in the past month, police say. Calgary Police Service
Police urge the public to physically obstruct the view when using payment or debit cards at store tills or bank ATMs.
People should be aware of others coming in unusual proximity to them and if they are told they have dropped money but haven’t, move to a safe place and report the encounter.
Anyone with information about these crimes or if they suspect they have been targeted is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
BKaufmann@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BKaufmannjrn
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