Kamloops RCMP are asking people to be careful while using their pin numbers when shopping after some recent reports of theft and fraud.

They say the most recent report was Tuesday of last week, Aug. 20, when a wallet was stolen from a person who was distracted in a shopping centre parking lot.

While police did not specify the shopping centre, they said money was withdrawn by a pair of suspects “using the same pin number that had just been entered at check-out.”

“Based on the investigation, it is believed the person was followed at the checkout and watched by someone who was spying for a pin number,” Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said. “In the parking lot, while loading their vehicle with the purchased items, a person distracted the victim while another person stole their wallet.”

Evelyn says there was another similar instance earlier this summer that also involved the use of a pin number which the suspects may have gotten after the victim used their debit card.

“Although it’s unknown if these incidents are connected in anyway, in both occurrences they involved the use of a stolen card, accompanied by a stolen corresponding pin number,” Evelyn added.

“Please always remember that not everyone behind you is trustworthy, even if they may look like they are. Making a habit out of covering up your pin number is a good way to help reduce being targeted by an opportunistic thief.”

Police say the male suspect in the Aug. 20 incident was white, standing six-feet tall, weighing between 250 and 275 lbs. He had brain hair, a moustache and beard, and was wearing a white shirt, shorts, and a camo ball cap at the time.

The female suspect was about five-feet-four, with a slim build, weighing approximately 120 lbs. She had an olive complexion, long dark hair that was parted centrally, and was wearing a white t-shirt with a black and white print of a face on it, and dark blue or black ankle length skirt.

Those with information related to this investigation are being told to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2024-27423.