Fraudsters are putting scanner devices on cash machines to steal people's cards and details.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has issued a warning after several reports of bank cards being retained by ATM machines, with victims later noticing cash had been withdrawn from their accounts.

A discreet device can be placed over the ATMs card slot by fraudsters, this allows them to scan card details and transmit the data back to themselves as well as retaining the card.

Detective Sergeant Mark Fava from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit said: “The best way to avoid this happening to you is to cancel or suspend your bank card if it is retained by an ATM.”

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Police also advise taking precautions before withdrawing money from ATMs by examining the machine for possible tampering before using it and shielding PIN entry.

If the ATM does not return a card, police advise calling the bank while still at the machine and then calling the police non-emergency number 101.