Fraudsters ‘pose as parking attendants in new scam’

Police have issued a warning after motorists were targeted in a series of fraud incidents at car parks, which cost one victim £1,300.

Officers said victims were approached and guided to specific machines in Leicestershire to pay for parking and then told to insert a bank card and verbally “register” their PIN.

The machine retained the card which was later retrieved by the fraudster who, having heard the PIN, was able to access the victim’s money.

Police said three reported cases – two in Coalville and one in Glenfield – happened in the past six weeks and urged people to be careful and if unsure ask for identification.

The force said it believed the machines had been tampered with to retain the cards and victims were carefully selected.

Currently, there are no descriptions of the suspects available.

Nicole McIntyre, from Leicestershire Police’s economic crime unit, said: “This is a new type of scam we have unfortunately started to see and in each case the victims have been elderly, so we know that these people are targeting those they believed are vulnerable.

“You (will) never be asked to verify your PIN in such circumstances and if you are unsure that someone is a genuine car parking attendant, ask for a verified ID.

“If you are not sure and have any suspicion a criminal offence is being committed, please do not enter your card into the machine and contact police.”