Retail Scams On The Rise In San Mateo County, Police Warns

SAN MATEO, CA — Scammers have been targeting primarily older customers at retail stores by convincing them to pay for a few items and then secretly charging them for many more, police said.

The San Mateo Police Department said scammers target older victims at self checkout aisles at retail stores.

Police said the scam commonly involves suspects working in pairs. One of the suspects will approach victims in a friendly manner, building rapport and confidence, and then will ask them to pay for items such as essential food, medicine, or childcare products, police said.

Then, while the victim is distracted, the other suspect will charge multiple other items on the victim's card without them noticing, police said.

"If you or any friends or family members may have been a victim of a similar scam, please report to the San Mateo Police Department immediately. We ask our community members to stay alert and protect yourselves, finances and property. We encourage reporting crimes and suspicious activities," police said.