Shoppers warned of ATM scam

GARDAÍ have warned shoppers to be on the lookout during the sales for suspicious devices attached to cash machines.

Criminal gangs have used card-skimming devices to defraud banks of €3.5 million so far this year, and with a record amount of money in circulation over the holidays, consumers have been asked to be extra vigilant.

There have been more than 150 of the sophisticated devices placed on ATMs across the country with an average haul of the gangs of €50,000. The criminal gangs are predominantly from Eastern Europe and move round the country to target different ATMs.