Forgive me if this has come up before, but I've just had my credit card compromised, and though the company couldn't or wouldn't give me a clue where or how, my colleagues immediately named a local petrol station which has caught a number of local people, though without proof enough for publication.

One added that her card company advises not to use cards at any petrol station. Where, of course, they don't take cheques. I did, today, as the cash machine charged for withdrawals, and I didn't have enough on me. It does open up another style of theft, as well. Lurk between the machine and the till and remove the £40 from the customer before they pay.

Apparently, the scam now works with a chip inserted into the reader, which cannot be seen. Though in my case, the guy did flick the card about through the air briefly. He could only have got the PIN by electronic methods, as there was a screen, and my hand in the way.

How does it work?

Penny