Shell has suspended chip-and-Pin payments at 600 petrol stations after more than £1m was stolen from customers’ accounts at three stores.

It is believed to be the first time chip-and-Pin machines, which were supposed to help end card fraud, have been tampered with by implanting skimming devices into Pin pads.

Hundreds of customers had their credit and debit card details copied and money withdrawn from accounts using cloned cards. Eight people have been arrested.

A Shell spokeswoman said: ‘In the interests of our customers, we have temporarily suspended chip-and-Pin availability in our UK company-owned service stations. This is a precautionary measure to protect the security of our customers’ transactions.

‘We will reintroduce chip-and-Pin as soon as possible, following consultation with the terminal manufacturer, card companies and the relevant authorities, to ensure that customers can be confident that their transactions are fully secure.

‘Customers are unaffected by this action - they can still pay for fuel, goods or services with a card by swipe and signature.’

The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit are investigating.

What do you think? Email us at feedback@computing.co.uk