Earning and managing our money is challenging enough without the constant threat of fraudsters attempting to steal it. Unfortunately, criminals are continuously devising new methods to commit identity theft and separate honest individuals from their hard-earned cash. Recently, we shared security camera footage from a convenience store showing how thieves are capturing your credit card information without needing to physically possess your card.
Today, we’re highlighting a new scam targeting grocery store shoppers nationwide. In a recently released closed-circuit security video, you can observe a scammer stealthily approaching a female shopper, preparing to execute a theft.
This latest scam is something you have significant power to prevent. However, if you’re not vigilant and don’t maintain situational awareness, you could fall prey to tactics like the one shown in the clip. Because becoming a victim is avoidable, security experts emphasize the importance of public awareness and caution against this alarming new trend impacting shoppers across the country.
When shopping, especially at grocery stores, it’s common for people to leave their purses or bags in the cart. As the footage reveals, this seemingly harmless habit can expose your identity and personal information to greater risk than you might expect.
Inside Edition conducted a thorough investigation to uncover the extent of this rising purse-snatching phenomenon. Their investigative reporters went undercover to capture these incidents on camera and share them with millions of viewers.
Contrary to popular belief, these thieves often do not act alone. As Inside Edition discovered, purse-snatchers frequently operate in pairs, significantly increasing the likelihood of a successful theft.
In the video, you’ll see two scammers approach a woman shopping in the grocery store’s produce section. They skillfully coordinate their efforts, resulting in the theft of her wallet, without her even realizing it until it’s too late. This is why Inside Edition’s undercover team exposed this latest grocery store scam to raise awareness and catch these criminals in the act.
To provide expert advice, Inside Edition enlisted security consultant Bill Stanton to offer practical tips for safeguarding against such thefts.
“It happens so quickly, people don’t even realize it’s occurring,” Stanton explained. He emphasized that if you leave your wallet or purse in your grocery cart, you are vulnerable to this alarming trend, regardless of where you live.
The footage, which you can watch below, garnered thousands of comments from viewers sharing their insights and strategies to stay safe.
Shelly O. commented, “Never turn your back, leaving your purse unattended. Always keep the basket in front of you. I always keep mine in front of me, plus I tie it with the child belt. I also carry pepper spray.”
The key to protecting yourself from purse-snatchers lies in preparation and awareness. By keeping your purse in view and staying alert to your surroundings, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these thieves.
Source Video: AWM.com
