Fife Police have warned people to be vigilant when using cash machines following reports of money being plundered from accounts.

It is thought card readers and hidden cameras may have been fitted to ATMs in the area, with police confirming "a number of people" in north east Fife had reported their details being 'skimmed'.

The Fife Herald this week received several calls from local people affected by cash machine tampering, including one woman from just outside Cupar whose bank blocked an attempted £700 purchase in Austria.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I got a phone call from the Royal Bank of Scotland last Friday at about 5.30 p.m.

"They put me through to the fraud team and it turned out that 20 minutes earlier someone had tried to buy £700 worth of clothes on my card over the internet in Austria.

"The transaction hadn't gone through because RBS had picked up on it straight away — I was very impressed with their response.

"I use the cash machines in Cupar regularly — maybe twice a week — but you don't think that sort of thing is going to happen here."
Detective Inspector Graham Fenton urged anyone who may have any information to contact the police.

He said: "I can confirm there have been a number of reports of skimming incidents at cash machines in north east Fife and these are currently under investigation.

"I would like to appeal for anyone who sees or has seen people acting suspiciously at or near to cash machines, or has any information which may assist with this investigation, to contact Fife Police on 0845 600 5702."

He went on: "If you think anything is suspicious, report it immediately to the bank or shop the cash point is outside of, or to the police.
"Fife Constabulary is committed to disrupting the activities of organised crime gangs, and by raising your level of attention when using bank machines you may just spot something is wrong and deny the criminal access to your an