oh dear - what did I do?

[whatdidido]

Oh God, just want to preface this by saying that I have namechanged and at the moment am absolutely paralysed with guilt and anxiety - can anyone tell me whether I am right to be?

Last night, extremely drunk, got chatting to a couple in the pub - we had a few drinks together, there was something a bit dodgy about them but they seemed nice enough, very friendly etc. By this stage am absolutely hammered and we all set off home - we were walking in the same direction. On the way past the cashpoint the guy says to me "could you do me a favour? if we go to the cashpoint could you just key in my pin number for me?" - seemed a bit at the time but I was so pissed, it just seemed like a slightly strange request, nothing sinister. So went with him to the cashpoint, he told me the number, I keyed it in and then stepped away while he got out money - I didn't see how much he got out. That was it, we went home.

Obviously this morning it's clear that the card must have been stolen and I have been so so stupid. Through my paranoid hangover, I've been thinking all day "oh God, what if it was all caught on CCTV (a possibility in this area) and the police come knocking? what do I do??" I am so so ashamed and annoyed with myself for being gullible, and too drunk to really think about it properly. Should I just phone the police and tell them what happened? I could easily describe the guy and know the vague area he said they lived, but I get the impression he could be a nasty piece of work if you got on the wrong side of him and don't want to be looking over my shoulder IYSWIM - God that sounds so cowardly but I am worried. Can anyone give me any advice?? Is this something I need to worry about or should I just notch it down to experience? I am guessing it's a pretty old trick which the police would know about and wouldn't necessarily hold me too responsible - it's not like I took any money off him or anything. Advice / help / virtual hug anyone?

"if it was stolen, how did he know the PIN number?"

he could have seen it when someone used a chip and pin machine - they're not exactly private - then nicked the card.

Or maybe taken it from someone he knows (partner / friend etc)

Used to work at the bank
And every now and again the police would come in asking for our cctv
If there had been a mugging or stolen cards at the c/p etc
The cctv was very clear
You could tell if the customers were drunk stumbling etc etc

Actually it was bizarre at times to watch what people got upto in the c/p foyer

I don't mean to be rude but you said you were "hammered", are you sure you remembered it right?

OK - have just spoken to the police - am shaking! Sorry, I sound like an idiot but I have never been in a situation like this before. They have logged all the information and have said if anything comes up about a stolen card being used at that cashpoint they will be in touch again. Of course, probably nothing will happen, but if it does I think it's good that I let them know about it now. I am so nervous though in case the guy gets taken in by the police and somehow realises it was me that called them - although, it is feasible that if the card was stolen, he could be caught just from the CCTV footage and not know I had called them.

Anyway, the woman on the phone said that for now I should just notch it down to experience and then if it goes any further I can be sure I did the right thing. I do feel a bit better about it anyway. Off to have a cuppa and a biscuit and swear off the booze...

well done whatdidido, you've covered your bottom as it were so enjoy your tea and biscuit and give your LO an extra special cuddle

Well done, now that you've done everything you can you can definitely relax.

whatdidido I doubt this was a one-off - this kind of guy is probably up to all sorts, so I reckon he's very unlikely to think of you when he does get caught eventually (for this or something else).

So try not to worry, and give yourself a pat on the back

It could have been a scammed card but I am not sure how they get the number.

thanks lowrib - of course, if he is up to this kind of thing, he probably has so much going on, he won't remember me in a week or so. It's only me leading my boring law-abiding life who is obsessing about it!

just checking back to see how you got on
so pleased you phoned the police and logged it. You definitely did the right thing and I am glad that it made you feel better. Hopefully nothing further will come of it. However, if something did, you are in the comforting position of knowing you have acted responsibly now and passed on the info. Lots of people would not have even bothered worrying about it let alone phoning the police - good for you!