Gardaí in Waterford are reminding people to be aware of so-called ‘shoulder surfing’ when using bank cards.

They say criminals may watch people entering their PIN at cash machines or shop checkouts before attempting to steal their bank card.

Inspector Shay Keevans is a Community Policing Inspector at Waterford Garda Station. He explains more about the phenomenon, “Shoulder surfing occurs when a criminal, maybe, if you’re at an ATM, is standing behind you, or in a shop or wherever, and if you’re keying in your pin number to your card, they’re watching to record your pin number. After that, they’ll go about maybe a distraction theft or to try get that card because they have the pin number observed.

He has this advice, “to prevent shoulder surfing, use your hand or wallet to cover when you’re renting, entering your pin at an ATM, checkout counter, etc. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert while socializing and to mind your cards and to mind your pin, so be extra careful when using your pin.”