KENT Police's Fraud Squad is warning members of the public to be vigilant and aware of sophisticated methods of credit card skimming around the county.

Fraudsters are attaching specialised devices to ATM machines which fit over the normal slot into which customers insert their cards.

Although the devices allow customers to carry out transactions as normal, they record all the card details and store the information.

Tiny hidden cameras are often used simultaneously to record customers inputting their pin numbers.

Det Con Phil Kershaw said: "This kind of skimming is very sophisticated and is a problem right across the UK and is more specifically an emerging issue in Kent.

"We have seen incidents where ATM's have been fitted with this type of illegal equipment in Gillingham, Canterbury, Sittingbourne and Gravesend.

"By recording the personal information and filming the pin numbers, these criminals are able to clone the cards and access people's accounts, then make cash withdrawals until someone notices and blocks the account."

In the last six months, Kent Police have seized about five of these devices although many more are thought to have been used around the county.

While arrests and prosecutions have been brought elsewhere in the country no one has yet been caught in Kent, although investigations are continuing.

Det Con Kershaw added: "We want to ensure people are informed of this problem so that here in Kent we can nip it in the bud. These devices generally protude from the actual ATM by about an inch so are noticeable.

"We would advise anybody who thinks the ATM they are using has been tampered with and that this equipment might be fitted to it, to go into the bank or shop and inform a member of staff immediately.

"Another good security measure is to use one hand to shield you other hand when you type in your pin number. Anything we can do to disrupt the people responsible for these offences is a valuable crime prevention tool."

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.