POLICE are warning of a new 'hole in the wall' cash machine scam which is being used to drain people's bank accounts across the Fylde Coast.

According to Blackpool Police, there have been several recent reports of town centre cash machines being targeted by organised groups using a device called the 'Lebanese loop', which catches cards inserted into bank cash machines, tricking the owner into thinking their card has been 'eaten'.

"Someone may then approach you when they see that you are experiencing problems with the machine and they will watch you enter your PIN (personal identification number) in," the force's 'Newsbeat' town centre newsletter warns.

"Then, when you leave the machine because you think it has eaten your card, they pull out the loop and remove the card. This results in large amounts of cash being withdrawn."

Although police said the recent spate of alleged fraud appears to have died down, people across the Fylde Coast should still be on their guard when using ATMs (automatic teller machines).

"Most people use ATMs all the time, and they know what it should feel like when they put their card in. Normally your card goes in with ease and it's returned with ease," said Det Supt Simon Hills based at Fleetwood police station.

If a loop is in the machine, a customer would have some difficulty getting the card in the machine in the first place, he said.

"If there is any difficulty we would advise not to proceed any further, have a good look at it and contact the police if you think the machine has been tampered with," he said.

The police can be contacted on 293933 at Blackpool and 876611.