Criminals target elderly with ‘stuck’ ATM scam

Criminals are targeting elderly and vulnerable bank customers by distracting them at ATMs and stealing their cards.

The Irish Payment Services Organisation said the fraudsters place a device on the ATM that traps the user’s card inside the machine. The bank customer only realises that the card is not being returned when they complete their cash transaction.

The criminal, who has watched the person key in their personal identification number (PIN), offers to help recover the card but actually gives the customer back a similar-looking card.