[b]Bank customers throughout the UK have been falling victim to a ‘distraction scam’, in which criminals literally distract a person at a cash machine for a few brief seconds, in which time they can gain full access to that person’s account.

Barclays bank has now issued a new video to warn the public about the scam, and advise them on how to avoid falling prey to it.

The clip shows a man using an ATM, and a woman behind him dropping her bag on the floor.

He turns to help her pick up her things – at which point her accomplice, using an adjacent machine, snatches the victim’s card, having already spied his PIN number as he typed it in.

With his card and PIN number, the scammers would now be able to withdraw up to the full daily limit on the man’s account.

A spokesman for Barclays said: “Barclays is determined to do all it can to combat fraud.

"We've had a media campaign across all of our different channels, direct mails, in-branch posters and ATMs, so it actually just felt like a really natural step to put our weight behind this campaign.”

Barclays offered these tips to avoid ATM distraction:

Don’t let anyone distract you when you’re at a cash machine
Cover your PIN when you pay in shops or go to a cash machine
Ignore people who speak to you when you’re at a cash machine – even if they appear to be helpful
Don’t use a cash machine if it, or anyone around it, looks suspicious
Call your bank straightaway if you think your card, PIN or other security details have been compromised

According to Financial Fraud Action UK, losses through fraud at UK cash machines increased by 20 per cent to £32.7 million in 2015 – a huge increase, although markedly lower than the 2004 level of £74.6, prior to the rollout of Chip and PIN technology.[/b]

Ok oooo

a plot bought... a caveat emptor.