POLICE on Wirral are investigating the alleged large-scale cloning of credit and debit cards which had all been used at the same business in Wallasey.

The Globe has been deluged with calls and emails today from readers worried that their cards had been misused.

All were contacted by their banks over the weekend, whose fraud departments were investigating a high number of unusual transactions made abroad.

Most of the suspect transactions are believed to have been attempted in India and Canada, with the amounts ranging between £300 and £3,000.

It is believed that all of the credit and debit cards alleged to have been cloned had been used recently at the same business premises in the Wallasey area.

This afternoon, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said he could confirm that it "has received a number of reports from members of the public and the financial industry concerning unauthorised use of credit and debit card details".

He added: "The incidents appear to be linked to a premises in Wirral.

"Detectives are investigating these matters in partnership with the finance industry and the investigation is in its early stages."

Detective Inspector Colin Radcliffe, said: "I would urge people who suspect that their card details may have been compromised to report such incidents to their banks and building societies who will commence investigations on their behalf and will report the matter to the police through already agreed processes."

Anyone who has any information about this type of crime can contact their local police station or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

* DO you think you have been the victim of a credit or debit card fraud? Contact the Globe newsdesk on 0151 906 3053 (24 hour answering service) or email jdunn@wirral-globe.co.uk.