Elderly victims targeted while using ATMs in GTA: police

Elderly victims throughout the Greater Toronto Area are being targeted by suspects who take their debit cards, police say.

Toronto police issued a news release Thursday about the incidents and appealed to the public for any information on the case.

Police said unknown suspects, typically operating in pairs, are targeting elderly individuals while they’re withdrawing cash from ATMs.

The suspects “shoulder surf” their victims, learning their pins, and then distract them “by various means,” police said.

“For example, by dropping something nearby, by engaging the victim in conversation and/or other means,” the release said.

Credit: Handout / Toronto Police

“While the victim is distracted, the suspects grab the victim’s debit card from the ATM.”

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The suspects then immediately go to another ATM and withdraw cash from the victim’s account, police allege.

Investigators said they’ve linked multiple incidents involving the same male suspects.

“The Toronto Police Service is urging the public not to confront the suspects but to call police with any information,” officers said.