Gardaí in Co Mayo have appealed to bank customers to be vigilant when making withdrawals from ATM machines following the discovery of a high-tech device which allows criminals to clone the details of cash cards.
The sophisticated unit was spotted by a customer as he attempted to make a transaction at the Ulster Bank ATM machine in Pearse Street, Ballina.
Gardaí were alerted and the devices, which consisted of a card scanner and a fake panel, which fitted neatly over the regular ATM keyboard, was taken away for technical examination.
Ulster Bank has begun a full investigation to determine whether any customers' accounts at their Ballina branch have had money taken from them.
Chief Supt John Carey, head of the Mayo Garda Division, expressed concern yesterday that criminal gangs, who have been targeting cash machines throughout Britain and Ireland and stealing millions of pounds each year, are now operating in Mayo.
The equipment seized in Ballina included a card scanner which had a device attached to transmit the PIN numbers and other personal card details to members of the fraud gang with a laptop computer who were possibly sitting in a vehicle nearby.
Gardaí are examining footage from CCTV camera machines erected near the bank to determine who was behind the attempted scam.
Bank customers have been advised to check their statements and to be on the watch out for any strange activity or "unusual devices" near ATM machines.