Bank fiddle nets £500

That's how long it takes for the "Lebanese Loop" to cheat a victim out of their cash.

Police this week renewed their warning to the public to be on their guard against a trickster who continues to prey on bank customers in Bexhill.

The trick is simplicity itself.

The thief inserts a near-invisible loop of plastic in the automatic cashpoint machine.

The victim inserts their card and keys in their PIN number - not realising that the offender is peering over their shoulder and making a mental note of the number.

The victim then finds they are unable to withdraw their card. If they are unwise enough to leave the cashpoint to report the "fault" in the bank the thief steals the card and swiftly uses it to withdraw cash elsewhere.

In one recent incident, 500 was stolen before the loser had time to cancel the stolen card.

Sergeant Howard Yardy of the Bexhill Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "They don't mess about. They take you to the limit..."

In another local incident, the "helpful" offender suggested to the victim that they might be able to withdraw their card if they keyed-in their PIN number a second time!

Police advise the public to check carefully to see if any plastic or paper is protruding from the card slot, to be wary of anyone standing close by while they are keying-in their PIN number and NOT to leave the cashpoint in the event of having difficulty withdrawing their card.