Merseyside Police is warning the public in Maghull to be extra cautious when using ATM machines following claims that one in the area has been tampered with.



It has been reported that criminals are using skimming devices in the cash machines to steal people’s credit and debit cards.



The offenders have reportedly glued small devices into the card entry point which allows the card to be put into the machine and the transaction to appear to have been processed but when the user tries to get the card back, it gets caught by the device.



The criminals come back later on, remove the device and steal the card which is then used to make withdrawals at other machines.



Inspector Susan Stribling said: “We’re doing everything we can to spread this message and ensure that the public are protected against these crimes.



“We’d like to thank those who have already contacted us to report suspicious activity and similar crimes and advise anyone who thinks they may have also been a victim, to please get in touch.



“If you use a machine and it appears to have retained your card, you may have been a victim, so please urgently notify us and the branch.



“If you have any specific details or you’re simply worried then call us on 101 quoting crime ref: 0518208538. We’d much rather come out and investigate something that doesn’t seem right than not be told and see someone suffer the consequences. “



Anyone with information is encouraged to speak to officers in the area, call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.