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Joan Bakewell caught out by cash machine scammers
Mark Blunden15.05.09
Broadcaster Dame Joan Bakewell today issued a warning about cash machine crime after she became the victim of tricksters in “chummy” Camden Town.
The writer, who is the Government's champion of “older people”, lost £500 after two teenagers posing as good samaritans watched as she entered her Pin. Dame Joan, 76, was queuing at a Lloyd's TSB machine in Camden High Street when she was caught by a “Lebanese loop” scam, in which a gang wedges a thin, clear plastic sleeve into the slot to retain cards.
She said: “I was surprised it happened as Camden Town can be quite chummy. They (the thieves) seemed to be very pleasant young people, a boy and a girl in their late teens. They approached as I put my card into the machine, saying they were just trying to stop me using it and wanted to help.
“When the card jammed, they said to try pressing cancel and then to enter my Pin again, which of course they watched. When I went into the bank the staff knew what was up straight away.”
Dame Joan rang her bank, Coutts, to discover her card had been used to withdraw £500 in only six minutes. She cancelled the card but did not report the theft to police, although Coutts said it would refer her inquiry to fraud officers and the money was refunded.
Dame Joan, who lives in Primrose Hill, warned Londoners to be vigilant, saying: “Where I live is neighbourly and people are civic-minded. I shop in Camden Town and people talk to each other.
“There was no one else in the queue and when the young man spoke to me it was no surprise, because people help each other out at cash machines.” Dame Joan added: “Banks should put some sort of little kiosk or hood around cash machines so you can hunker down in there.” A Camden police spokesman advised people to check cash machines before using them.
A Lloyds TSB spokesman said: “Our staff are trained to spot suspicious activity around cashpoints and we check machines regularly for signs of tampering”
Reader views (13)
I too have been a victim of cashpoint crime at the very same cashpoint on Camden highstreet. I was staying with a friend in Camden for a weekend break on the May bank holiday, went out to the cashpoint on my own on on the afternoon of May 2nd. After I had inserted my card and entered ny pin number I was approached by three young people of middle eastern origin.They waved a mobile phone magazine in my face and seemed to want me to buy a mobile phone, I was distracted for less than a minute. They moved on and I withdrew 20 pounds,not really thinking much about the incident as Camden High street at the time was packed full of people milling and jostling about. When I returned to my home the following week and opened my bank statement it showed 200 pounds had been withdrawn at the exact time of the incident. I really dont know how they did it, it has been suggested to me that a cloning device may have been inside the magazine which was able to clone ny card.
I went staight to my branch of Lloyds TSB who are investigating the crime, so far no money has been reimbursed and I have heard nothing from the fraud investigation team.
Why are the police not dealing with this issue, which is, in effect a street crime? It seems like these criminals have been given free reign to steal as much money as they want.
- Alison Booth, Portsmouth, Hampshire
- Thomas Hayes, of Leeds UK said
"£500.00 seems an awful lot to draw out in one to me."
Maybe, but remember this was withdrawn by the crooks, not by Joan.
I do feel that pensioners who may be slower and more vulnerable than others, should be advised to use only those terminals inside the bank. Most of them are retired and so should have the opportunity and time to do so.
But I have to agree with calls to make ALL crime appear more serious to the judges and legislators. "Tough on Crime" disappeared as soon as MPs realised their time could be better employed "working" the expenses system.
Nao
- Naomi Sajeri, Manchester
what dame joan should have concluded from this is to beware of kind people helping u out at cash tills. haha.
- Anthony Wong, london uk
It was pretty dumb of you to fall for that one Joan..! I'm surprised. Lovely shoulders tho x
- Paul, Bromley
I can't believe reading the article that it's so comical in places "people help each other at cashpoints" " 2 teenagers acting as good samaritans" and this level of stupid naivety from someone called "liebours old peoples champion".
I'm sorry but I don't actually feel sorry for anyone so stupid, if anyone comes too close to you at an atm you tell them to back off, LOUDLY and it works every time, not start playing luvvie to all insundry.
And just how can liebour have a champion of the old, after the disgusting way the elderly are treated in the UK.
- Staker, London
Whilst Dame Joan refers to having hoods around the machine, I believe the banks' advice is that you should lean close into the machine and shield your pin number by using your free hand. Personally if anyone stood close to me, I'd tell them to sod off.
- Blue Baby, London
"Banks could take the ATMS inside like in Contental Europe."
No need.
TOUGHER SENTENCES will do the trick.
You mug someone? One year in prison, no excuses.
Why do I have a feeling that muggings would STOP, not only "be reduced"?
- Rollo, London
Why does anyone ever draw out more than £50 at a time from an ATM in the street? Surely if you have got a card, it's easier and safer to make medium and large purchases by "plastic"? (Better still if you can use a card that gives you rewards or cashback).
(If the answer is to get a cash discount out of a dodgy tradesman, you can make the withdrawal from the cashier or an inside ATM during bank opening hours).
- Nigel, London
Watch for people near you at ATMs with mobile phones. They have been known to telephone to crooks outside when they see an old person withdrawing a large amount of cash so are phoning the muggers outside. Cash machines should be enclosed.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
Perhaps she should have asked for a police escort home? but now the police will not want to know as it will look bad to have another unsolved crime on their books.
£500.00 seems an awful lot to draw out in one to me.
- Mike, London England
...well do not withdraw your cash from an ATM in "chummy" Camden......
Banks could take the ATMS "inside" like in Contental Europe.
You need a credit-/debit-card to open the electronic doors, which close after you have entered. There are CCTV cameras inside this area andf you are well didden from public view.
Once the transaction is done, you put you cash into your wallet (stil in a safe environment) and walk out.
This is safer that withdrawing your cash in the street with people watching you.
- Weddigen (A Non-Smoker), London SW3
Imagine how many poorer people have been caught out by these thugs and ignored by the police. In the US most cash points now have the banks own cameras trained on them, no doubt it would cost billions in consiltants fees to undetake such a simple solution.
- Gary, Brentwood
It does no good if you report it to the police they do not deal with this type of fraud anymore. I guess that is because they know that they won't get a result and it would make their unsolved crime figures worse.
- Mike M, Bedford England
