MORE victims have been “sickened” by high-tech crooks taking money out of their bank accounts.

It is feared that hundreds of people have had money stolen during a “card-skimming” scam in the Weymouth and Dorchester area when cashpoint users have had their bank cards read and their pin numbers seen by thieves using electronic equipment.

Dorchester student Lauren Morris had money withdrawn in Thailand and was upset at seeing the scammers making repeated attempts at getting more.

The 16-year-old Thomas Hardye School student said: “As a student I don’t have much money and am on a tight budget.

“So it sickens me to think you work hard for your own money and people like that can just take it away from you at one click.”

The thieves first stole £25 and came back for more.

They tried to get another £200 but as there were insufficient funds in Lauren’s account they were unsuccessful. This continued with more attempts for £65 and then £43.

Police are unsure of exactly which ATMs were targeted.

Skimming works when a device is fitted into the card slot to read the magnetic strip. A miniature camera is also installed to see people’s pin numbers.

Lauren said she believes her credit card was “skimmed” at a HSBC cashpoint in St Mary Street, Weymouth, on May 13.

Lauren, who lives with her family in Armada Way, said: “I realised straight away what had happened when I checked my balance at my local HSBC.

She added: “I should have had more money in my account than I had last seen as I get the Educational Maintenance All-owance but my balance went down.

“They took £25 and there was a cashpoint fee which was international. It was taken from Thailand.

“To me £25 is a lot because I don’t get much anyway.

Kirsty Lawley, 25, of Milton road, Weymouth noticed £50 missing from her account and after calling the bank they replaced the funds straight away.

She believes her card was skimmed either at the same HSBC in Weymouth or at the petrol station on the Granby Industrial Estate and her money was also stolen in Thailand.

She said: “I’m really annoyed about it as it froze my bank account.

“I was really pleased with the service I received from HSBC who paid the money straight back and issued me with a new card straight away.”

Police are carrying out inquiries with local branches of banks as part of an investigation into reports of card skimming offences across the county.

People who suspect money has been taken from their account fraudulently are advised to contact their bank.