Two new credit card scams involving cashpoints are claiming victims in Oxford, police have revealed.

Officers are aware of at least six cases of people having money stolen by fraudsters using distraction tactics or devices fitted into cashpoint machines in Headington and Cowley in the past two months.

They have issued a warning amid fears there may be other people who are not yet aware they have been victims.

The two new tactics are known as the 'Lebanese Loop' and the 'Shoulder Surfer', and both work with the aid of a thief lurking near the cashpoint who stands over the user to spot their PIN number. The thief or thieves get hold of the card, either through distracting the victim during the transaction or by a device fitted to the cash machine which retains it and spits it out later.

Pc Mark Reeve, who runs Oxford police's cheque and credit card fraud office from St Aldate's Police Station - one of three in Thames Valley Police, said customers should look out for notices stuck to cashpoint machines - banks transmit messages via the electronic screen.

He said: "If people are suspicious, they can go into the bank and say they are not happy with the appearance of the cashpoint.

Or they can always ring the police station, as chances are this will happen at evenings or weekends when the bank is not open.

"People can also help themselves by being aware of how the scam is used. If someone is invading your body space turn round, or shield your pin by holding your hand over it."

Pc Reeve warned fraudsters may use slight variations on techniques below, or use a combination of the pair.