Scores of scams at Tesco cashpoint (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Scores of scams at Tesco cashpoint

FURIOUS shoppers are calling for tighter security at the Kingsmeadow Tesco after a spate of cashpoint scams at the superstore.

Several residents have lost hundreds of pounds in recent weeks, including a bank employee who says if she can be duped, anyone can.

Maria Holland, who lives in Cirencester, had £830 stolen after using the machine last month.

She says she is not the only shopper to have been scammed at the machine and has begged Tesco to installed CCTV cameras as soon as possible.

She said: "I am very vigilant when I use these machines and I am more angry with myself that I allowed this to happen.

"But we are using this machine under false pretences and Tesco should be keeping an eye on it. They need to be seen to be active in stopping these people.

"If they are not responsible for the cashpoint then at least there needs to be a sign warning people to be extra careful."

The Cirencester woman also criticised the way she was treated by Tesco after she found out she had been robbed. She says staff were "arrogant and patronising" about her plight and offered no reassurances the issue would be taken seriously.

She said: "I wasn't blaming the store, I just wanted to voice my concerns. "We mustn't bury our heads in the sand. I just think this is appalling and needs to be addressed nationwide and not just locally."

Mrs Holland has contacted Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown about the increasing problem of cashpoint scams in the town and continues to implore Tesco to tackle the fraudsters head-on.

Shopper Andrea Shutt, who lost £220 after using the same machine, says she heard as many as 65 people may be in the same boat.

She has also been critical of the way Tesco handled her complaint, especially in light of the reports of cashpoint 'skimming' at HSBC in Cirencester in 2005.

She said: "I feel very let down by the store security - surely Tesco has a duty of care to its customers.

"I have five children and spend about £6,000 a year at the supermarket."

However, Tesco has said its security guards at Kingsmeadow are now carrying out extra patrols.

"Card fraud can be very distressing," a spokesman said. "And we are sorry if the customers affected did not feel that the issue was handled appropriately.

"We have been liaising with the police over the incidents and are increasing our patrols outside the store, but at this time we are not able to install cameras.

"We remind all customers to be extra vigilant when using their bank cards at all bank machines and when shopping."

Cotswold police spokesman Matt Ford confirmed there have been several incidents of cashpoint 'skimming' in recent months, and not solely at the Tesco store.

He said: "If anyone using a cashpoint sees anything out of place on the machine they should alert the police, the shop manager or the bank.

"It's also always important to cover the keypad when keying in your pin number."