A TEENAGER’s cash card was cloned as thieves attempted to withdraw hundreds of pounds from her bank account.

Tia Louise Wade, from Basildon, tried to use the ATM at Argos, in Westgate Shopping Centre, Basildon, on the morning of February 26.

But as she inserted the card, it was swallowed by the machine.

She explained: “From then on I went straight to the HSBC bank.

“They investigated what had happened and told me that my card had been cloned.

“They also told me that they could see the person had been trying to take lump sums of money out - hundreds.”

In response to the situation, the cameras near the ATM will be checked.

The 18-year-old also also described a hole the size of a golf ball at the ATM.

She added: “I had my account blocked and had to wait for a new card to be sent out. I’m far more wary now and quite scared really; it’s nuts how people can do things like this.

“I won’t trust any ATM unless I go into a bank.”

HSBC was been contacted for comment but did not respond before the Echo went to press.