Retailers in north County Dublin have been warned to be on the alert after a spate of credit card related fraud incidents in the area.
Business owners are being urged to make their staff aware of the potential fraudulent behaviour.
There have been five incidents reported to gardai in Balbriggan over the past number of days.
The incidents involved customers using cards that had passed their expiry dates or had card details but no actual card with them.
In some instances the fraudsters also used the cards to get cashback.
A garda spokesman said: "As the busy shopping period approaches Gardaí would advise retailers to be extra vigilant with regard to suspicious credit card use, particularly if an individual attempts to use a number of failing cards or card details one after another for cashback.
"Gardaí are currently examining CCTV in relation to these reported incidents. Investigations are ongoing."
