Beware of the Lebanese loop (From Gazette Series)

Beware of the Lebanese loop

POLICE have warned residents to be careful when using cash machines.

The warning follows an incident in Wotton-under-Edge when a man had his debit card caught by a Lebanese loop. The card was subsequently used and £1,000 was withdrawn from the man's account.

A Lebanese loop is a sleeve constructed to fit into the card slot of a cash machine. When someone come to use the machine the card is caught in the sleeve and does not completely enter the machine.

However, the customer is asked to enter his or her pin number but nothing else happens, giving a thief plenty of time to see the pin number. Customers often think that the card as been confiscated and leave it in the loop. A thief can then pull the card out and withdraw the maximum amount from the account.

Sgt Neil Gibbs said: "If you are using a cash machine, look careful before you use it. You also need to be very way of people standing close by. If you are in any doubt, go inside the bank to withdraw money."