POLICE are hunting conmen who set up "card skimming" scams at two Hampshire shopping centres.

They have warned the public to be extra vigilant when withdrawing money from cashpoint machines.

It follows recent reports of "card skimming" scams at the Locks Heath Centre and Sarisbury Green.

It is believed a "card reader", attached to the front of ATM cash machines, has been used to obtain card numbers and pin numbers in the scams.

Cloned cards have then been produced and used to obtain money from the hole in the wall cash machines.

The police are advising the public to follow these simple guidelines: (i) Make sure nobody is standing close to you, or looking over your shoulder, while you are using an ATM cash machine.

(ii) Check there is nothing suspicious looking about the machine, and before putting your card in run your hand around the card slot, to ensure it does not have a false front or have anything attached to the inside of the slot.

(iii) Always cover your hand while entering your pin number, to ensure it cannot be seen by others or recorded by an optical device that may be fitted to the machine.

(iv) Do not attempt to remove any device from a machine. Fraudsters sometimes stay nearby and may be violent in their attempt to retrieve a device. Instead go into the bank and ask them to call the police.

Anyone with information regarding "card skimming" scams is asked to contact police at Park Gate police station on 0845 045 45 45, or alternatively contact the anonymous Crimestop-pers number on 0800 555 111.