A Ross resident has issued a warning to people to be on their guard against criminals who try to steal their bank cards after they have paid for shopping.

A Ross Gazette reader, who has asked us not to use her name, said that her bank card had been stolen when she was leaving Morrisons supermarket in Ross-on-Wye last Thursday. She had used the card to pay for her shopping before it was taken. However she was not aware of the theft until her bank contacted her.

She told the Gazette that she had used the bank card to make the payment than she had zipped her card back inside her purse.

This was placed inside her handbag which was also closed and secured. She then placed her handbag on the passenger seat and got into the driving seat.

At this point she became aware of a man gesturing to her to get out of the car. She told the Gazette that he was speaking in broken English, with a French accent, telling her about a lost puppy. She said it was very strange and when she arrived home she told her husband about it because it was such an odd experience, but she still was not suspicious.

Then she had a call from her bank asking if she was making cash withdrawals on the card, which she never does. They told her that someone had tried to make a few withdrawals and to use it to pay for shopping, but the bank had stopped it. The concerned customer searched for her card and realised it was missing, she then reported it to the police.

The victim told the Ross Gazette that she was lucky the bank realised the card had been stolen and so she has not lost anything. She asked the Ross Gazette to issue a clear warning to shoppers to be on their guard if someone tries to talk to you after you have been shopping. She also thinks it would be better to stay in the vehicle and speak through the window.

She also wants to remind other people to take great care when using the pin machine to pay for shopping. She thinks that one person was watching where she pressed the keys on the chip and pin machine pad and then worked with someone else to carry out the theft.

A spokesperson for Morrisons also reminded customers that they should;

1. Make sure you conceal your PIN when using ATMs.

2. Do not keep a note of your PIN number in your purse, wallet or bag.

3. Don’t leave a purse or wallet on top of shopping or in an open bag.

4. Do not leave any personal bags unattended on trolleys.

5. Report anyone acting suspiciously to store staff.