Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – Security authorities have detected that criminals now go to banking institutions to steal the cards of account holders in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. For this reason, they have issued an appeal to customers and bank users who frequently go to ATMs to withdraw cash.
The criminals’ new way of operating has occurred in recent weeks, particularly in the area that includes the ATMs of different bank branches.
The scam consists of approaching whom the criminals perceive as a vulnerable person, and with the supposed intention of helping them, they seize their bank cards.
“They pose as a bank customer and start asking questions, from the moment they talk to you until the moment they offer to provide you help with the machine,” explained Rigoberto Flores, a municipal police officer in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
Tourists are good targets for these thieves as many tourists struggle with new ATMs in a foreign country, and the thieves gain the trust to help the tourist to use the machine.
Urge to be wary of strangers at ATMs
By gaining your trust, the criminals steal your card and without you noticing, they replace your card with a fake card and bid you farewell before you even notice your card has been stolen.
“That’s when they hook people with the conversation and in any carelessness, they change the card,” added officer Flores.
In this upcoming Easter season, and with the arrival of thousands of people, including those who commit crimes, authorities urge account holders to remain alert to avoid being victims when going to any bank branch, specifically, to ATMs.
“They are waiting for any situation to offer help or talk to them and that is where they take advantage of the situation with the client; However, when you detect a problem at the ATM or inside the branch, report it to 911,” concluded Rigoberto Flores, a municipal police officer in Puerto Vallarta.
You should never speak to strangers or accept help from anyone while at an ATM machine in Puerto Vallarta.
