Police yesterday warned computer users that an e-mail warning about a scam allegedly being used by criminals to obtain credit cards is bogus.

The e-mail purports to come from Police warning that criminals are inserting a clear plastic slip into ATM machines so they cannot read the magnetic strip and keep the card.

The e-mail warns that crooks are observing people using their pin number and taking their cards from the plastic slip inside the ATM when it swallows their card.

Police said yesterday that they did not issue the e-mail, nor were they aware of this scam being used in Bermuda.

"The Bermuda Police Service has received information that an e-mail is circulating throughout the Island purporting to be from Bermuda Police Service, regarding a credit card scam" said the statement.

"The e-mail in question did not originate from the Bermuda Police Service, and, furthermore, we have no indication that the methodology mentioned in the e-mail has been used in Bermuda thus far.

"However, we would still advise credit card holders to be cautious when using ATM machines by always being aware of their surroundings."