North West police have warned residents to beware of credit card fraudsters conning people out of their money.

Spokesperson Superintendent Lesego Metsi said on Friday that the police were "deeply" concerned about the increase in credit card fraud cases — particularly with the coming festive season.

"Innocent clients of various banking institutions are being hit by criminals who apparently gain physical access into their personal banking accounts by the use of a skimmer device. The small electronic device is able to read the magnetic strip of credit cards and to store the information," said Metsi.

He added that the card holder's details are then later used to make additional copies of the card, conning people out of their money.

"In some instances the skimmer devices are placed over the parts of ATM machines to obtain faces and details of the card users," he said.

He said police began noticing the scam in February.

He said the scam — which initially hit Rustenburg — had spread to other towns in the province with 16 cases being reported to the Jouberton police station in Klerksdorp concerning an ATM targeted by syndicates.

Metsi urged communities in and around the Jouberton area to exercise caution when using ATMs.

"We would like to sensitise members of the community — more especially credit cards holders — across the province to be extra careful when using ATMs situated in secluded areas and even when making business transactions," he said.

Metsi said that over 250 case of fraud had been reported to police, adding that two people had been arrested in Vryburg several months ago when they were found in possession of the electronic device.

"Investigations in that matter are continuing," said Metsi.

Sapa