KENT Police are reminding people to be vigilant after a card-skimming device was discovered by a man attempting to use a cash machine.

Officers were alerted to the incident in Watling Street, Gillingham, at around 12.30pm on Saturday.

Part of the Nationwide cash point came away when returning a card to a man who had been using the machine.

The man handed the "fake front" to a local business who alerted the police. Crime scene investigators were called and they examined both the front of the device and the cash point area for possible forensic evidence.

Officers are advising people who may have used the cash machine to check their bank accounts for any fraudulent transactions.

Crime reduction officer Steve Cook said: "There are a number of steps that you can take to help prevent yourself from becoming a victim of credit card fraud.

"At cash points check behind you before you put your card in. If someone is standing too close behind you or you think someone is watching, either offer to let them go first or go to a different cash point.

"Always make sure no one can see you input your PIN number at a cash point and keep your number secret.

"Look out for anything unusual around cash dispensers. This could include unofficial "out of order" notices that appear to direct users to one particular machine, misaligned or blurry screens or the card seeming to "stick" when being inserted or ejected from the card slot of the machine. Do not attempt to apprehend an offender yourself.

"Don’t let your card out of your sight. With the introduction of portable chip and pin processors there should be no excuse for anyone to take your card out of your view. If an assistant insists, politely ask to accompany them whilst your card is processed.

"If you are suspicious of any activity near a cash dispenser or involving your account, contact the police."