During the past few weeks cash machines across the county have had devices attached which clones debit and credit cards.

The cloned cards have then been used by the offenders.

Police have not yet been able to recover the device but say such technology is usually 'quite small and unobtrusive.

It often looks like a thick strip of tape attached to the machine above the screen and keypad and will not be noticed unless the customer bends down and looks above the screen.

The offenders often attach a small video camera to the machine as well so are able to record the customer keying in their PIN number.

There are also devices which are slipped into the card slot which enables the offender to retrieve the card when the customer leaves the machine assuming it 'swallowed' the card.

Always check the machine you are using for anything unusual and report anything suspicious to bank staff or police.

Where possible use machines inside the bank which are less likely to be targeted.

Watch out for transactions in your account that you have not carried out and if you witness anyone tampering with a machine contact