A woman who lost £1,000 after criminals followed her into a Tesco store and stole her bank card has issued a warning to other shoppers.
Lola Sledmere, 88, had £1,000 taken from her account over two days after a visit to a Tesco Superstore in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
She says she was distracted by a man when she went to return her trolley in the car park while a fraudster entered her car, just yards away, to take her card, the Daily Express reports.
The grandmother of seven saw CCTV film that appeared to show a third criminal loiter behind her and watch her insert her PIN at the checkout. She believes the trio conspired together to steal her bank card.
Since the incident the widow has become wary of leaving her home in Little Chalfont, Bucks.
She said: "It's affected me very much. I have been struggling to sleep because I think about it all the time. It is just so clear in my mind. I have felt sad and worried, and stupid to be honest."
Lola, who worked in psychology, added: "Of course, it has impacted me financially too. I am a pensioner. I have a state pension but I'm not well off at all."
After she paid for her groceries, it is believed Lola was followed to her car by the man who saw her PIN.
She put her shopping and handbag in her vehicle, left it unlocked as she turned to return the trolley.
But another man spoke to her, asking for directions to Chesham. Lola said: "I thought he was being a bit stupid as there are plenty of signs for Chesham and it's only around the corner. But I offered help.
"Someone previously must have looked over my shoulder and got my PIN number at the checkout."
Lola, who was born in the Netherlands and moved to the UK in 1955, said she only realised the card was missing when she checked her bank online and saw two withdrawals of £250 had been made.
The pensioner informed Thames Valley Police but two more £250 withdrawals were made the next day - March 3 - at cashpoints in Leyton, east London.
Lola is working with police and her bank to get the money back.
She warned: "Everyone should always lock their car, no matter how far it is from the trolley bay.
"I'd say be wary of strangers. My handbag was returned very neatly in the same spot it was in the car and my wallet wasn't taken. It was just this card but these criminals were very clever. It takes just minutes."
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We were sorry to hear about this incident and want to assure people that the safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority."
