Bank holiday cash run

UK consumers are being warned against fraud as 1 billion is set to be withdrawn from ATM machines over the bank holiday weekend

10:44 27 August 2004

UK consumers are being warned against fraud as 1 billion is set to be withdrawn from ATM machines over the bank holiday weekend

The head of ATMs at Barclays, Barnaby Davis, advises: "With nearly 4,000 per second expected to be withdrawn from ATMs this bank holiday weekend our advice to people is stay vigilant when withdrawing money."

He warns consumers to "regularly check their statements to detect signs of fraud early on, at which point they should let their banks know immediately".

Among other tips Barclays offers is that consumers who expect that the machine has been tampered with should not attempt to remove the fraudsters equipment.

Also they should give others space to enter their PIN in private - around two metres if possible. When leaving an ATM people should discreetly put their money and card away before walking away from the machine.

Next month Barclays will introduce new warning screens on its cash points.

Last year people living in the south-east withdrew the most from ATMs, followed by Scotland and then London.