Marion police warn of scam targeting senior citizens

MARION, Ill. (KBSI) – Marion police warn the public after receiving multiple reports of a scam that appears to target senior citizens.

One or two males, possibly of Middle Eastern or Arabic descent will watch people as they check out from a self-check-out station at larger retail stores.

They watch as people enter ther PIN number into the station, then distract them by getting the shoppers’ attention by telling the shopper he/she dropped a $20 bill on the floor.

When the shopper’s attention is diverted to the floor, police say the suspect will take the debit/credit card out of the station and quickly leave the area.

On one occassion, the suspect followed the shopper to his/her vehicle and tried to use the “money on the ground” ruse.

Police say the suspect are fluent in English and Russian languages.

They urge shopper to be aware of their surroundings and try to cover the pad on the station when entering in the PIN number.

Anyone who finds him or herself in this situation is asked to call the Marion Police Department at 618-993-2124.