Police Warn About PIN Safety After Card Theft

Police are warning people never to divulge their PIN details to anyone following the theft of £500 from a woman's account in East Kent.

A man walked into Wingham Newsagents in High Street, Wingham on Sunday at around 10.30 am and asked the woman in the shop to help him choose a greeting card.

After the man had gone the woman checked her personal belongings, which had been in a back room, and noticed her bag had been rifled through and her purse stolen. A small quantity of cash that was in a bag had also been stolen.

A few minutes later she had a telephone call from a woman claiming to be from Kent Police. The woman, who sounded "educated", asked her to confirm her PIN for one of the stolen bank cards, which the victim did.

This was used as a ploy by the offenders who withdrew £500 cash from the lady's account.

Det Con Chris Dyer gave this warning: "Never divulge your P.I.N to anyone over the phone. Your bank or the police would never ask for this."

Police would like to trace the man who asked for help to buy the card. He is aged in his 40s, 6ft tall, of stocky build, and has mousey or ginger coloured hair and was wearing a beige coloured thick long coat and jeans.

If anyone has any information about this incident, they are asked to contact DC Dyer on 01304 240055.

Alternatively, don't forget Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. This call is free, you don't have to give your name and could be eligible for a reward.