SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
|
'Hey, you've got a flat.' It's robbers' latest scam
Nassau police are urging bank patrons to be aware of a scam in which a team of robbers distracts people by puncturing their car tires- and then dashes off with the just-withdrawn cash and other valuables once the victim crouches to check the flat.
"We look at this as another deception and distraction technique," said Det. Lt. Kevin Smith, spokesman for the Nassau County Police Department.
At least 10 people have fallen victim to variations of the con since January, Smith said, adding that as many as five attacks occurred last month alone.
The victims, half men and half women, range in age from 42 to 83. And they were all robbed at banks in Cedarhurst, North Lawrence, Lawrence, Woodmere, all in the Five Towns area - with one heist netting as much as $14,000 from one victim, Smith said.
Typically, the team visits a bank and watches someone withdraw funds, then one member punctures the rear passenger side tire of the victim's car.
A team member then taps on the car window to alert the victim that the car's tire is flat, but when the victim gets out of the car to take a look, another team member swipes the cash and other valuables out of the unlocked car.
In most cases, the victims don't even know they've been robbed until much later. No one has been injured in any of the robberies.
"It appears to be a well-orchestrated group that's doing this," Smith said. "They catch people when they're anxious about something big."
Smith said police are urging people to lock their car doors when exiting vehicles, and advising bank officials and security to watch for loiterers who enter the institution but conduct no transactions, since they could be searching for victims.
In some cases, the team member who alerts the victim of the flat tires has worn a traffic vest associated with road crews, Smith said, adding that the disguise further helps the robbers create the distraction.
|
Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
|
Re: 'Hey, you've got a flat.' It's robbers' latest scam
I saw it on the news- you can't be too careful
if you get a flat after going the bank- I would lock the doors and call AAA or road side assistance- and not get out of the car if people are there to help you
just tell them no thanks- my husband who just happens to be a cop is on the way- that ought to scare them away if they are up to no good!
|
megsm3
Life is Good!!
Member since 8/06 3867 total posts
Name:
M
|
Re: 'Hey, you've got a flat.' It's robbers' latest scam
I saw this on the news this morning too. It is so disturbing that you can never trust a good samaritan you THINK is helping you out bc of creeps like this! 
|
So scary... 
