https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUZwZFM_5kU&feature=youtu.be
Small businesses in Lincoln have been forced to say ‘no’ to £50 notes after being targeted by a cash scam.
That’s according to one Steep Hill shop owner whose trade has been affected.
Sam Horsted-Bennett, owner of vintage shop Ego, said many businesses in the area have witnessed the same scam in their shops.
“It’s a man and two women that come into the shop and suddenly one woman will just grab something really cheap and shove it on the counter with a £50 note,” she said.
“At first, you’re worried that the note isn’t real, but you do all the checks on it and it is so you take it and give them the change which is normally around £45.
“Then, the other lady comes and joins her and then suddenly the first lady says ‘don’t want it, give me back my £50 note,’ so you return the £50 note but the lady behind her has then been slipped either one of the 20s or 10s which you don’t realise because, as far as you’re concerned, she’s had the money in her hand the whole time.
“It’s only when you go cash up at the end of the night that you realise you’re 10 or 20 pounds down.”
In a statement Simon Cotton, Senior Communications Office for Lincolnshire Police, said any shops who have experienced similar incidents or who are worried about the scam should install CCTV, call 101 for non-emergencies and 999 for emergencies. He also added that the police can launch an appeal related to the incident.
This news follows a successful weekend for the independent businesses with the annual Christmas Market bringing 260,000 tourists into the city – the busiest it’s been since 2011.