Police have sent out a warning after a scamming device was discovered at a cash machine.

Hertfordshire Constabulary say a device was found at the post office ATM in Kings Langley, which 'traps' money withdrawn from the machine.

Police say the device was fitted to the cash dispenser on the ATM, so that the cash falls into a 'trap' and appears not to be dispensed.

Members of the public going to the cash machine to withdraw money will not receive the cash, and will probably assume the machine has malfunctioned.

Once the victims has walked off, the cashpoint criminals can then retrieve the 'trap' with the cash inside, and take the victim's money.

Watford Observer:

Police have seized this device they found at an ATM 

Inspector Nicola Dean from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s crime reduction unit said: "As well as all the usual precautions we take when withdrawing cash, like shielding the keypad, when typing in your PIN, you should always examine the machine before use.

"If anything looks out of place or it has any parts which appear to have been added, do not use it and report your suspicions to the bank.

"If the machine fails to return your card or any cash you have withdrawn, you should contact the police on our non-emergency number 101 and your bank to inform them."

Police say you should take the following precautions when using cash machines

•Always look closely at the card insertion point of a cash machine before using it. If it looks like it may have been tampered with, do not use it.

•If you realise the machine has been tampered with after you have inserted your card, call your bank while still standing at the cash machine if it is safe to do so.

•Always shield your hand when entering your PIN into a cash point keypad.

•If the machine retains your card or fails to dispense cash you have withdrawn, without a suitable explanation message on the screen, contact the police on our non-emergency number 101 and your bank immediately.