Sir.-I am writing this as a warning to anyone in the local area who is awaiting delivery of their new debit/credit cards.

Recently, I received my PIN number, and didn't worry too much when my new card didn't arrive within a few days.

When I tried to use my old card, which was still in date, the shop couldn't accept it.

Back at home, I immediately telephoned Barclaycard, who told me it had put a stop on the card.

It turned out my new card had been sent to me two weeks ear-lier, and had obviously reached Basingstoke because it was used fraudulently in the town centre - three times. The first attempt was successful, but the other two were not, due to the right proce-dures followed by two shops.

I could have been nearly £600 out of pocket, but Barclaycard acted swiftly.

I know a lot of shops haven't yet got the new chip and pin system, but would it be too much to ask these shops, who can still only accept a signature, to ask for some sort of identification?

By the way, I called the Post Office customer helpline - but they said they would not report it to the local sorting office un-less they had enough complaints!

So, Basingstoke public - beware.

-Mrs O Fendle, Basingstoke.