Beware – Credit Card Thief

A close friend has recently had her credit card stolen in Morrison's car park.  She had completed her shopping and had returned to her car. 

As she was getting into her car she was approached by a middle-aged woman with a foreign accent who asked if she knew the way to Coventry Airport. 

Somewhat astonished at this request my friend suggested that they just needed to get to the M6 and go south.  The women then proceeded to spread a map across the adjacent car so that she could 'show' her the way. 

It was probably at this point that the card holder was removed from my friend's handbag. My friend discovered the theft when she went to purchase petrol from Morrison's petrol station and at first thought she had left it at the counter / dropped it somewhere or mislaid it. 

Although the theft was reported very quickly the perpetrator still used the card several times to purchase goods and obtain money. 

I understand that this has happened before in the same car park so thought it might be useful to forewarn others to be on their guard. 

Most of us want to be helpful in these situations but these people know exactly how to fool us and it would prevent this particular ploy from working if when approached we can remember to lock our bags in the car before responding to any such request. 

The police confirmed that this is a very common ploy and that there were probably two people involved, one to distract and the other to carry out the theft.

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