Readers from around the Warwick area contacted the Courier after criminals used 'skimming' devices to clone customers bank or credit card details to withdraw money in Australia and Canada.

Many were regular users of the Shell garage in Birmingham Road. Police have confirmed they are investigating fraud at a garage in the Hatton area.

Almost all said they had doubts about using cards to pay for petrol - and many say they will not be using the garage again.

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One of those affected was Hampton-on-the-Hill resident Tony Archer. Thieves used details 'skimmed' from his credit card to withdraw £593 in Australia.

They began by taking small amounts but over two days the withdrawals rose from $50 Aus to $600 Aus.

He said: "It was quite a shock when I got the statement.

"I've never been to Australia and have no intention of going there."

Mr Archer has cut up his old card and said he would no longer use credit cards to buy petrol, and would certainly not be using the Shell garage in Hatton.

Hatton resident Toni Lucas found £600 had been taken out in both Australia and Canada. She said: "I was shocked at first because I wasn't aware I would get the money back.

"It is amazing the number of people who have lost money just by going to buy petrol. It makes you not want to use your card."

Mother of five Sharon Sloan, 36, of Hatton, had 500 Australian dollars - around £245 - stolen from the account she shares with husband Adrian. The family had to rely on relatives until her money was refunded and they received a new bank card.

Mrs Sloan said: "You feel scared to use your card. You want to go back to using cash."

Bubbenhall resident Maxine Jones only found out her details had been stolen when her card was declined in a shop. Around £178 had been taken out, also in Australia.

The 47-year-old property developer said: "It is worrying that something like that had happened and it makes you concerned about how you use your card in future.

"It is the fact that somebody has your details."

Shell had not responded to the Courier's request for a comment at the time of going to press.