Using sophisticated hand-held card-readers, skimming devices or devices placed over ATM card slots, the high-tech thieves can quickly capture data encoded on the card's magnetic strip.

"Then, by simply peering over the victim's shoulder - called 'shoulder surfing' in the industry - they are able to obtain the PIN number keyed in," says Venete Klein, Absa executive director.

"With that information the syndicates create a duplicate card and empty the victims account. Because the victim still has his/her card in their possession he/she is none the wiser.

"The criminals use different methods to skim cards," says Klein.

"In some instances they choose a site with two ATMs and jam one of the machines so a card cannot be inserted. At that point another 'client', busy with the other machine, invariably offers help.

"Victims are persuaded to hand the card to the 'kind helper' who offers to see if it will work in the other ATM, a ruse that allows the thief to scan the targeted card with a skimming device hidden in his hand. Once read the card is inserted into the ATM and the victim instructed to enter the PIN - in full view of the thief," says Klein.

The unfortunate card-holder remains blissfully unaware a crime has been committed, often until it is too late.