AN INVESTIGATION has been launched and shoppers are being urged to check their bank accounts after card-cloning equipment was discovered at a York supermarket cashpoint.

The skimming device and a camera were found attached to the Lloyds TSB machine outside the Morrisons store in Foss Islands Road at about 10.30am on Tuesday.

Police believe the device had been planted on the machine between 8.23am and 8.47am that day.

A man had been seen acting suspiciously outside the store’s entrance, where the cash machines are situated.

He was described as white, tanned, with short, dark hair, large dark eyebrows, a large nose and stubble, of medium build and about 5ft 10ins tall.

At the time he was seen, he was wearing black trousers, a blue jacket and white trainers with a black logo on the side.

Skimming is a criminal tactic used to electronically copy the data on a card’s magnetic strip on to another card without the holder’s knowledge.

“If anybody saw a man matching the description of the suspect in the area at the time, they should contact police or Crimestoppers immediately,” said PC Fiona Wilding, of York Police.

“Any customers who used the ATM machines at Morrisons during February and in particular on Tuesday morning are advised to check their bank statements and contact their bank if they notice anything suspicious or any unauthorised use.

“People using cash machines at any locations should be wary of anybody loitering or looking over their shoulder, and you should always cover the keypad when entering your PIN number.

“It is a good idea to use ATMs inside banks as they are less likely to have been tampered with.”

Anybody who can help the investigation should phone PC Wilding on 0845 6060 247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.