One couple from Aldwick are £2,500 out of pocket after their card was cloned and the bank details were used to buy goods and withdraw cash in Nigeria, Tanzania and the Ivory Coast.

"To some pensioners that is a huge amount of money, they could be left with no money at all and be unable to pay for food and heating," said the 61-year-old grandmother, whose husband's card was cloned.

The couple did not want to be named but said they wanted to warn other cashpoint users to be careful and always check their bank statements.

"My husband had only ever used his card once at one ATM, the cashpoint at Tesco Express in Nyetimber. I thought it was odd that for a few days we had no money in our account. I thought it must have been because money we deposited hadn't yet reached the account.

"It was only when I looked at our bank statement that it told a horrible tale," she said.

The couple discovered six or seven transactions had been made daily over a couple of days, starting with small amounts and gradually increasing to hundreds of pounds.

"We could not believe the card had been used fraudulently so easily.

"We want to warn people to be careful when using cashpoints.

"I know of at least two other people who have had their cards cloned by using the ATM at the Nyetimber Tesco store."

After reporting it to their bank, the account was blocked and because the couple had banking insurance they will receive a full refund.

Police are appealing for increased vigilance from ATM users after a number of similar incidents in which attempts had been made to interfere with the machine to obtain either the card itself or the details recorded on it.

A spokesman said: "We have recognised that this is an issue and are taking a variety of measures, in partnership with representatives from the banking industry, to prevent these incidents occurring and catch those responsible.

"If users of an ATM have any concerns about it, or are suspicious of anyone loitering in the vicinity of a machine, they should immediately report this matter to staff at the bank and, if closed, to Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or via 999 if you believe that a crime is in progress."



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