POLICE officers are advising people to be vigilant when using ATM machines after a man lost around £800 when a skimming device was used on a machine in Alexandria.

In a statement, Police Scotland said at around 7.30am, on Tuesday, July 21, a man was seen at the ATM machine outside the Co-op, in Argyll Street.

The man appeared to be tampering with the ATM and Police Scotland said it’s believed he put a skimming device on the machine.

A short time later, a member of the public went to use the cash machine but the ATM retained his card and informed him the machine was ‘offline’.

The man tried to get his card back but he was unsuccessful, and so he left.

Around 20 minutes later, at around 7.50am, the same man who was seen at 7.30am, went back to the ATM, and removed a device and the other man’s card from the machine.

The man’s card was then used to purchase goods, thought to be in the region of £800.

The suspect is described as white with short dark hair. He was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and white trainers.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time who may have noticed the suspect.

He would have been hanging around the area for around 20 minutes in order to complete his crime.

If you saw anything untoward or suspicious or if you have any information or knowledge about the suspect, please contact police on the 101 number.

Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Officers are also advising people to be especially vigilant in and around ATM machines, if you observe any suspicious activity, contact police.