Read how to spot a cash point card skimming device

It's Christmas shopping season and most of our credit and debit cards will be taking a hammering at the checkout and the ATM.

But while you splash the cash on friends and family, take care to make sure your hard-earned pennies aren't being pinched by criminals.

Photographs showing how card skimming devices are used on cash machines have been distributed by police in an attempt to guard against fraudsters .

The devices read information from an inserted credit or debit card allowing the perpetrator to clone the card and make their own cash withdrawals.

South Leicester Police have shared photographs of such devices on Facebook to alert the public to look more closely at cash machines, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, the Burton Mail reports.

The alert comes as officers discovered both cash machines, in Bell Street, Wigston, had been fitted with card skimming devices, and members have been shocked to see how normal these devices look.

The Facebook post, which accompanied the photos, said: "THIS CHRISTMAS BE AWARE WHEN GOING TO ATM MACHINE. please share.

"Out on foot patrol checking ATM machines. Run up to Christmas.

"Found that both ATM machines, in Bell Street, Wigston are fitted with card skimming devices.

"Both ATM machines are now out of service.

"Please check ATM before using it. Photos below to look out for skimming device on ATM."

"The device is located where you insert your card into the machine.

"In one image you will see this has been added to the ATM and not part of the actual machine."

The police also pointed members of the public in the direction of a web site.

This web link has more details of what to look out for. - Mirror UK