Teddington Talks is a brand new feature when we let the people of Teddington tell their story, in their words.

This week we hear from Ian - who was scammed by the parking meter on Cedar Road.

You can find out about the scam HERE

Ian's story

Much to my embarrassment I got well and truly taken to the cleaners by this bunch of crooks.

I am usually pretty alert to this sort of thing but I was in a hurry and guess they spotted that.

I went to the car park on the High St ( opp Prem) put my Richmond Card in the machine.

This guy wearing a mask appeared from nowhere and told me that the machine was broken and wasn't taking the Richmond Card.

Not unusual as the machine is often broken and has happened to me several times before.

I had no cash so he said use your debit card - why at this stage I was even listening to the guy I don't know , except he was in my space and saying he was waiting for his wife.

I put in my debit card which seemed to disappear in the machine. He then leant across me and started pressing various buttons saying that you have to do this when it won't accept the Richmond Card.

I am now getting really angry with the guy but still looking for my card which was either still in the machine or he had palmed it whilst pressing the buttons.

He then said that he would go and get a ticket guy who he had seen round the corner then disappeared.

A community police officer came round the corner so I reported it and he told me to cancel my cards immediately.

I had already worked that out. I managed to stop my card on my HSBC mobile app but within 5 mins the crooks had taken £1000 out of my account at Barclays up the road in three lots of cash .

I reported it to the bank and they refunded my cash within about an hour of calling them.

This taught me to be even more careful in the future and if anyone gets near you at a parking machine then watch out.

If you would like to have your say on Nub News Teddington then email [email protected]