FOOTBALL star Rio Ferdinand took to Twitter after suspected credit card fraudsters apparently used his details in an illegal transaction in North Yorkshire.

The 33-year-old Manchester United defender told his three million twitter followers he had to have his card cancelled after his details were used in an attempted transaction in Harrogate.

He found out only after trying to use his card and having it declined. He described himself as “livid” and said his bank then informed him of a 'dodgy' transaction.

The former England captain, @rioferdy5 on twitter, wrote: "That embarrassing moment when ya Credit card gets DECLINED....epic fail!"

In a second post he said he was livid ,and then in a third he wrote: "The bank said a FRAUD tried to make a 'dodgy' transaction in Harrogate with my card details so they cancelled the card! We are after U FRAUD!"

Fans ribbed the footballer, who has a net worth of about £40 million, about the incident. One wrote: “I’m from Harrogate Rio, I'll be on the look out for anyone flaunting a new mink coat and acting suspicious » haha!”

North Yorkshire Police said the incident had not been reported to them.