Readers' Best comments

Cash machines across the Capital are being targeted by organised gangs, which has left thousands of bank customers at risk of fraud.

Of course, the question needs to be asked of the banks, why have you not replaced all of your ATM card readers with Smartcard readers? Answer, because it costs money. The magnetic strip is the achilles heel of this system and should have been dumped years ago. Whilst not the ideal solution, I always get cashback when I can.

JulesF, Kirkliston

If it's costing the banks so much in losses, why don't they have their staff take a look at the machine every four hours (during branch opening hours). They're on site, so no additional cost, plus they should know what they're looking for. If it's not at a machine, the security company staff who load it could surely do that?

Mike, Edinburgh

Modify the machines to prevent this, ATM machines in Istanbul have a green attachment cover that only half covers the card slot, but does NOT cover the magnetic strip.

sar, edinburgh

Listen up at the back . . .

Always cover your hand when entering your PIN number. I had my card cloned a while back at a Shell petrol station and a cash withdrawal was attempted in Australia, however the thieving scum didn't get any money because they didn't have my PIN.

digestive biscuits V

Good advice. Moving on and parents are pulling pupils out early from schools due to be closed down.

A very good move by the parents, why wait until the school closes then start to look for another.

The Real Alfonsa Pedrosa, edinburgh

I feel a lot of the problems are the lack of communication between the children and families department and the parents. The council have told parents nothing about where the children will go or what provisions will be made to help the children settle. Even the staff have no clue as to what will happen.

Lil Miss

I can appreciate parents wanting their children to continue at their present school, and it is a shame they are being axed, but it is obvious that it doesn't make economic sense to continue keeping them open. They are all older buildings which are costly to maintain and it's the council tax payers of Edinburgh who have to foot the bill. So if there are such small numbers, it's obvious it just doesn't make sense to keep the schools open. Better to do it now and be done with it.

Linmal, Livingston

Now for the personal touch.

I attended Drumbrae Primary school and I'm very sad that it will be closing. I have very fond memories of my time there. Having said that, there are three other schools within walking distance to Drumbrae. None of them had to be closed down.

Bellaswan, Edinburgh

A soldier, who walked 500 miles hoping to raise 20,000 to send his blind daughter to a specialist school – after the council refused to pay – is home.

Good for you, sir.

Spathiphyllum

Well done – the TRUE FACE of the despicable LibDem/SNP councillors and the Dishonourable Lord Provost Grubb have been shown up for what they really are.

Auld Reeky