Calgary Police urge caution after distraction thefts at shopping centres

Police are warning of distraction thefts in the region. 

In a Feb. 17 press release, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) depicted 12 distraction theft cases being reported through January and February that bear several similarities. 

They believe two to four suspects are coordinating to target vulnerable victims at shopping centres. 

In those cases, suspects observed a victim using their debit or credit cards to obtain a PIN number, signaling to an accomplice who then proceeds to distract their target and provide an opportunity to steal their debit and credit cards. 

One victim was an 80-year-old woman, named in the press release as Diane. 

The woman was shopping at South Trail Crossing in Calgary on the afternoon on Jan. 31 when she was approached near the exit by a man who offered to help her walk to her car due to icy conditions. 

After accepting the man’s help, with him assisting push the cart, they went to her car in the shopping centre parking lot. He informed her there was a loose tire valve cap, and while she was distracted replacing it, the man disappeared. 

Two days later on Feb. 2, Diane discovered more than $21,000 worth of fraudulent cash withdrawals had been made to her accounts. 

"Seniors are common targets for fraudsters as they take advantage of their good nature and believe that elderly people have plenty of money in the bank," said CPS Const. Shaun Vandal. "We are asking Calgarians to be mindful of this scam and their surroundings while shopping.  

“If you encounter someone who is in extremely close proximity to you, proceed to a safe place and report the incident to store staff or police." 

Similar incidents have shown up in Okotoks as well, with one person detailing such a theft in a Feb. 5 post on the ‘Okotoks Rant and Rave’ Facebook group. A woman explained that her wallet had been stolen in the Okotoks Sobeys parking lot in such a manner, after a stranger had told her there was an issue with her tire. 

The woman declined to comment, and Okotoks RCMP has not responded for comment as of publication time. 

The CPS press release outlined a number of steps the public can take to avoid falling victim to distraction thefts: 

Always shield the PIN pad when entering your PIN at any ATM, retail store or financial institution. 

While at an ATM, or paying for merchandise, be aware of anyone standing nearby who can observe you entering your PIN, also known as shoulder-surfing. 

If you encounter someone who is in extremely close to you, proceed to a safe place and report the incident to store staff or police. 

Trust your gut; if something seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. 

Anyone with information related to Diane’s case or other distraction thefts is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods: 
TALK: 1-800-222-8477 
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org 
APP: P3 Tips