Yesterday, five Santander cash points were shut down as requested by Lancashire Police, because of several calls made about suspicious devices on the machines and reports of issues with some of the bank’s ATMs last week.
Officers urged those who have lost money to contact Santander bank, as they are concerned criminals targeted these machines to steal card details and cash.
Lancashire Police tweeted the incident saying: “Security at Santander ATMs in Lancs has been compromised. Advice is not to use them. If you have lost money please contact the bank and 101.”
Cheshire Police also took to the social networking site to advise Santander customers in their area too, saying: “Cheshire Police have received reports of issues with Santander ATM's in Wilmslow. Please do not use the machines and call your bank and 101.”
However, Santander has said that none of its customers have reported being the victim of fraud, and that the five machines that were compromised had been shut down.
The spokeswoman for Santander said: “Santander was contacted this weekend by police who requested that five ATM machines in the North West and Lancashire area be shut down due to potential criminal activity and vandalism.
“The five ATMs in question were shut down immediately. The Santander ATM network remains fully operational and we are assisting the police with their enquiries in relation to the five ATMs in the Lancashire area.
“Customers are always advised to remain vigilant and if concerned about any other ATM machines, they should contact the police immediately and not use them.”
A spokesman for the Lancashire Police issued a statement, fearing the problem could be more widespread.
He said: “It's spread across the whole of Lancashire so it's highly likely other forces may have had reports.
“We are advising the public to be vigilant, in particular of Santander machines, but of any cash machines.
“Report anything suspicious, have a visual check of the cashpoint and if in doubt leave it and go somewhere else.”
We will bring you more updates as it happens.