Police in Cheltenham are urging shoppers to check cash points for anything suspicious before taking out cash.
The message comes after reports that a fraudulent device may have been used on two cash points on the Bath Road in the town last week.
It appears as though a device was used on the cash machine outside Lloyds TSB between March 20 and March 22 and that a similar device was used on the cash point outside Natwest between March 25 and March 27.
The banks and Gloucestershire Police have received a number of complaints that these two machines were keeping debit and credit cards and that money had been withdrawn from their accounts after.
The policing team for the area are urging the community to be vigilant when using cash points as devices are not always immediately obvious, but can be spotted with a closer look.
If you have used either of these machines in the last week and spotted irregularities on your account please report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040.
It's not yet known exactly how many people have fallen victim to this scam or how much money has been stolen but Gloucestershire Police are investigating and ask anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity around these two ATMs over the last week to report it to them by calling 101 and quoting incident number 99 of March 22.
If you want to give information but don't want to give your name you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Information can also be given via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org and you may receive a reward if someone is arrested and charged.
Gloucestershire Police suggest cardholders follow these key pieces of advice when using cash points:
• Put your personal safety first. Be aware of others around you and if someone is behaving suspiciously cancel the transaction and use a different machine.
• If you notice anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it and report it to the bank or the Police as soon as possible.
• Do not accept advice about using the cash point from seemingly well-meaning strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.
• Once you have completed a transaction put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine.
• If the cash machine does not return your card, report its loss immediately to your card company.
The message comes after reports that a fraudulent device may have been used on two cash points on the Bath Road in the town last week.
It appears as though a device was used on the cash machine outside Lloyds TSB between March 20 and March 22 and that a similar device was used on the cash point outside Natwest between March 25 and March 27.
The banks and Gloucestershire Police have received a number of complaints that these two machines were keeping debit and credit cards and that money had been withdrawn from their accounts after.
The policing team for the area are urging the community to be vigilant when using cash points as devices are not always immediately obvious, but can be spotted with a closer look.
If you have used either of these machines in the last week and spotted irregularities on your account please report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040.
It's not yet known exactly how many people have fallen victim to this scam or how much money has been stolen but Gloucestershire Police are investigating and ask anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity around these two ATMs over the last week to report it to them by calling 101 and quoting incident number 99 of March 22.
If you want to give information but don't want to give your name you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Information can also be given via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org and you may receive a reward if someone is arrested and charged.
Gloucestershire Police suggest cardholders follow these key pieces of advice when using cash points:
• Put your personal safety first. Be aware of others around you and if someone is behaving suspiciously cancel the transaction and use a different machine.
• If you notice anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it and report it to the bank or the Police as soon as possible.
• Do not accept advice about using the cash point from seemingly well-meaning strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.
• Once you have completed a transaction put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine.
• If the cash machine does not return your card, report its loss immediately to your card company.