Local Credit Card Scam

[30A Eats]

Happened to 30A EATS!

30A Eats family got caught in the scam at Publix Watercolor! We reported to the WC Sheriff's Office. Please report if it happens to you as it is now a Sate of Fl Fed. Investigation. Most of the charges are located in Central Fl and are several transactions in small amounts!

Susan

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is asking victims and citizens to meet with investigators to discuss a current scam used to fraudulently obtain personal and financial information from victims.

Multiple citizens contacted the WCSO on March 7 regarding what appeared to be fraudulent charges on their debit and credit card accounts. These fraudulent charges are not isolated to a single banking institution, and many of the charges occurred at retail stores throughout the state during the first weekend of March.

The WCSO is asking the public to review their recent financial statements for any questionable charges and fees.

The WCSO is hosting a Scam Alert meeting to gather information from citizens affected by this potential scam to identify suspects and their methods for defrauding individuals.

Scam Alert Meeting Information:
What:
Scam Alert Meeting
When:
Friday, March 9 at 10 a.m.

Where:
WCSO South Walton Substation
133 Sheriff Drive
Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.

If you observe abnormalities in your financial records and believe you are affected by this possible scam, you are encouraged to bring financial transaction records from the first weekend of March to the Scam Alert meeting.

Formal complaints will be accepted during this meeting.

1 850.892.8186

 

[Beach Runner]

Here's what I'm doing, as advised by our Director of IT and Security. This is happening in GA as well.

I think the best balance between risk protection and convenience is to use pre-paid debit cards. This obviously removes the “credit” part, but allows the cardholder access to a limited amount of funds in case it is compromised/lost/stolen. Withdraw cash from the bank (avoiding the ATM) and purchase a pre-paid card with that cash and you should be covered end-to-end.

 

[stephanieshawn]

We had several guests over the past two weeks or so, who couldn't use the credit card they used to reserve a room at Hibiscus, to pay the balance.
Mainly stating fraud to their cards, and having to get everything replaced..
SO SAD!

 

[Alicia Leonard]

March 28, 2012

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) has an update on the rash of credit card fraud cases that inundated South Walton. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Secret Service, and retail stores are working closely with the WCSO in tracking down the suspects.

According to lead investigator Billy Dozier, there have been 70 cases of credit card fraud that have been filed with the sheriff’s office. Many details of the investigation are not being made known to the public at this time, as this may jeopardize the numerous investigations that are being looked into. However, Inv. Dozier said that it appears that no scanning devices were used in these crimes, but rather a breach into the computer system at the store that was targeted. It appears that the breach is no longer active. Given that these crimes were multi-jurisdictional along with the number of cases, Inv. Dozier said it will take some time to solve the crimes.

The WCSO would like to remind those individuals who were affected by these crimes to please continue working with investigators, even if you have been compensated by your financial institution. Investigators will need the following documents: transaction records, the amount of compensation paid by the bank, and the full credit card number of the card that was compromised (which should no longer be active).

Inv. Dozier warns Walton County citizens and visitors to carefully guard their card information and be diligent to watch for suspicious activity on their credit card statements while using their cards and accounts.

To report further documentation on these cases, please contact Inv. Billy Dozier at 850-892-8186.

 

[SoWal 30A]

Skimmers…?!?!

Sorry if the info has already been posted I didn't have time to read all of them.

Check ATM's for skimmers by shaking the card slot. This will help identify externally attached skimmers. And then be sure to cover the key pad with your hand as you type in your password because skimmers usually have a hidden camera nearby to watch your pin.

Second: keep your eye on your credit card while it is in the cashiers hands. It should never have to leave your site because it only takes one second to swipe your card through a portable recorder that can wirelessly transmit to a third party who can then transmit the card info to another ring member for manual punching or card cloning.

Always shake the card slots before you put cards in!!! But sometimes they have a chance to install them internally but this increases their chances of being caught. So they are usually external.…something they can remove after watching it for an hour and then move on to another location to avoid quick detection.

Good luck.

Nick

 

[dunelover]

I wonder if this is related? same time period... http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mastercard-tells-banks-possible-security-breach-154439326.html

 

[Dawn]

Seventy credit card fraud cases in South Walton County have been linked to a computer security breach at one store, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.


According to WCSO Investigator Billy Dozier, 70 cases of fraud have been reported to his office. Investigators have tied all the complaints to a security breach of a computer system at one retailer.

Investigators wouldn't identify the name of the retailer, saying this could jeopardize their investigation. Because many of the customers at this retailer are located in numerous jurisdictions outside Walton County, the investigation will take time, according to Dozier.


Besides the Walton County Sheriff's Office, the rash of credit card thefts is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Secret Service. Dozier indicated the retailer is also cooperating
The WCSO asked victims of ht ecrime to continue to cooperate with investigators, even if their financial institution had compensated them for their loss.


Dozier also warned Walton County residents to guard their credit card information and diligently check their statements for suspicious charges. Any further instances of fraud can be reported to Dozier at 850-892-8186.

 

[Beach Runner]

Lots of scams are due to people knowing your Social Security number. Apparently one can't be forced to reveal his/her SSN unless it is for official Social Security business. So when asked for a SSN at a doctor's office, for example, I refuse to give my SSN. If they insist, I give the last four digits. So far, everyone has cooperated.