Local Credit Card Scam

**Beaudroix** · 03-07-2012, 12:27 PM

FYI - I have had three friends call today warning about a local credit card scam happening this week. Rumor has it the common denominator is at the Watercolor Publix but my friend had this happen yesterday at Publix in Destin. Amounts have ranged from $275 to $500. When they checked their accounts it showed these charges were going to a Walmart in South Florida...

**Jdarg** · 03-07-2012, 01:05 PM

I know 3 people who traced their fraudulent charges to the Seagrove Tom Thumb- late last week.

**BeachBumChick** · 03-07-2012, 01:21 PM

I have two friends this happened to over the weekend as well. One friend lost about $200 and the other lost about $580. We are hearing the Publix by WaterColor as well. Both of them had charges from around Cape Coral, Weston and West Palm Beach area. Some were at Wal-Mart, a grocery store in south Florida and gas stations. Everyone needs to be watching their bank accounts closely.

**EllieCouture** · 03-07-2012, 03:05 PM

Thank you for the posts! I just logged into my bank account and there are fraudulent charges that were made yesterday to my credit card at a Walmart in Jacksonville Florida. I use my card several times a week at Publix in Santa Rosa and Grand Blvd. Not sure if this is where the breach occurred, but it is a scary thought that this is happening in our area and we can't identify where it is ok to use our cards safely. Hope they catch the culprits soon!

**Zebraspots** · 03-07-2012, 03:56 PM

Is Publix aware of the issue?

**SouthernBelle** · 03-07-2012, 04:04 PM

We have several friends this has happened to also and I was just saying this morning I can not belive the news channel has nothing on it, but you know how our 'news' goes...
Hope they hurry up and catch the culprit. Think I am going to steer clear of Publix for a little bit just to stay safer

**EllieCouture** · 03-07-2012, 04:16 PM

After I finished the call with my bank, I contacted the Sheriff's office and they said they have had about fifty calls on this today. Hopefully the local news will make the decision to disseminate the information/alert out to the community so they will be aware.

**Beach Runner** · 03-07-2012, 04:42 PM

On a related matter, someone used the routing number and account number on a check that we wrote to pay one of Mom's bills (she has Alzheimer's so is incapable of taking care of her bills). A hacker used this info to use her account info to electronically pay for online purchases. Thankfully Suntrust reimbused Mom's account. But now my sister and I are having to dig up the info to transfer the deposits from her Social Security, her pension, and her other income to a new account. Plus we are having to notify the automatic debits to debit from the new account. It is a real PITA.

Hacking is so easy. It's plain scary. I would suggest to you to never use your debit card at a restaurant, etc., where the card itself is out of your view. The server or clerk could write down the account number and three-digit code on the back and wipe our your account.

What we do is have a separate bank account that we transfer a limited amount of money to. If we give someone the debit card, there is a limited amount on that account so we don't get wiped out. We also don't write checks on our big accounts so that a large amount money can't be stolen from those accounts. We only write checks from the small account.

**BeachBebe** · 03-07-2012, 05:06 PM

Were debit cards, credit cards, or both used in the scams at Publix?

**Murray Balkcom** · 03-07-2012, 08:12 PM

I know of about 20 people now who have had their cards jacked in the last week, in addition to those reported here. Cards are both credit and debit. Different card companies and different banks. Nothing more than suspicions at this time as to the common denominator(s) for the thefts. Many charges are in south Florida at Walmart, others in S Florida at Walgreens and Marshalls. Some suspect gas station, and others suspect grocery store, while others think a bar, and a couple think it may be the bank as the point of theft. Again, all speculation as of right now.

Walton County Investigator sends the following notice:

I am requesting that all Victims meet with Investigator Donna Armstrong and I at the South Walton Sheriff’s Office Sub-Station on Friday March 9, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.

During this meeting formal complaints will be taken by the Sheriff’s Office. Please have the following information at the meeting.

A copy of your Bank Statement for the period that the fraudulent charges occurred. If a bank statement is not available, the dates, times, locations, and amounts of the fraudulent charges will be needed to file a formal complaint.

The South Walton Sub-Station is located at 133 Sheriff’s Drive in Santa Rosa Beach. On the east side of 331 just south of the water tower.

Thank You.
Inv. Billy Dozier
Walton County Sheriff’s Office
(850) 892-8186

**Snowfanatic** · 03-07-2012, 11:05 PM

To repeat Bechbebe's request.......were they credit cards or debit cards? Also...what were the dates of the transactions?

Thanks

**AirRocker** · 03-08-2012, 06:18 AM

My Check (Debit) Card was compromised about a week ago. The fraudulent charges were processed as credit though. All charges were on 2/27.

They only got away with about $100 worth of charges before the card was suspended and I was called by the fraud department. They made charges with FedEx (which seems odd), a gas station in South Florida, and used it twice at the Winn Dixie in Miramar Beach (one of those charges was declined).

I've used it all over SoWal, including all three local Publix (if it is indeed tied to there).

**kurt** · 03-08-2012, 06:41 AM

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

**ricklys** · 03-08-2012, 07:15 AM

Happened to me at the Walmart in PCB. Sounds like someone is cruising the area with a RFID reader and skimming card numbers to clone. I bought an Aluma wallet (metal) to keep all my cards in and only pull it out at the register, and put it away immediately. So far so good. An empty Altoids container works too!

**James Bentwood** · 03-08-2012, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by EllieCouture

After I finished the call with my bank, I contacted the Sheriff's office and they said they have had about fifty calls on this today. Hopefully the local news will make the decision to disseminate the information/alert out to the community so they will be aware.

If it's on the news it's old news. I got email from a friend, text from a local company I do business with, and a link to this thread yesterday.

**Karamellow** · 03-08-2012, 03:13 PM

I got a call from the fraud department at my bank on Friday. Figured it was an isolated incident until my friend got a call from her bank yesterday. I also personally know of one other person this happened to. And someone that I know who works at Watercolor said seven of the ladies in their office have had this happen.

I have a metal wallet.... obviously that didn't help. The only difference is that they attempted to use my card at a Walmart in South Carolina.

**kmbruner** · 03-08-2012, 09:31 PM

My credit card was used yesterday by somebody other than me at a Georgia Walmart for 4 purchases of $90 each before my credit card company froze it and called me. I had recently used the card at the Seagrove Tom Thumb (among other local places including another gas station) and possibly at the Watercolor Publix (but that would have been 1-2 weeks ago).

**Lisa Ruby** · 03-09-2012, 11:58 AM

Did anyone attend the meeting?

**meamea** · 03-09-2012, 01:14 PM

When visiting South Florida with friends all three of us had our credit cards scammed and we determined it was at a local Publix. The police said that there is a huge ring that operates out of South Florida. We have also had credit cards scammed at interstate gas stations when we traveled. Now we pay cash along the interstate for gas.
We were lucky because in every instance that we were scammed, out credit card company noticed the unusal charges and notified us.

**Karamellow** · 03-09-2012, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by Lisa Ruby

Did anyone attend the meeting?

I did! There were about 25 people there, but they expected to be hearing from others. At this point they are trying to figure out the common denominator between everyone to figure out where the numbers are being taken from. Most of the activity seemed to center around this weekend and the race in Seaside. However, that doesn't mean you had to be in Seaside to have your number ripped off.

One woman at the meeting had two cards that were affected, and the second she hasn't used in the area in months....

Whoever is taking the numbers is either making clones of the cards, or selling the numbers to people who are making clone cards. In a previous investigation, apparently similar to this, they had surveillance video of the suspect also using a cloned ID. Meaning the name on the ID matched that on the cloned credit/debit card but with the suspect's picture. If this is happening again then it is more than credit card fraud... it could be identity theft. They encouraged all of us to contact the credit agencies to report the issue in the case that someone should try to get cell phones, etc in our names.

I would encourage anyone who has been victim of this to go to the substation and fill out the paperwork. It really doesn't take very long. It took less than an hour including the meeting. Without the meeting I could have been out in about 10 minutes. Take a print out of your card usage for the last week or so of February and this week. If you can't go to them .... like Marianna Toyota they will come to you! If you're from out of town. Call and see if there is someway you can file over the phone!

Really though.... take the time to go help with the investigation so they can catch these creeps that are making us all nervous and skeptical in our quaint little town!

**Lisa Ruby** · 03-09-2012, 05:02 PM

They will also dispatch someone to take a report at your office.
Very professional and efficient.

**Murray Balkcom** · 03-09-2012, 05:20 PM

There are reports of more charges today by several people. Better check your credit card and bank accounts. Since some of the fraudulent charges were made out of state, doesn't this become a matter for the FBI rather than Walton Co?

**Alicia Leonard** · 03-09-2012, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Murray Balkcom

There are reports of more charges today by several people. Better check your credit card and bank accounts. Since some of the fraudulent charges were made out of state, doesn't this become a matter for the FBI rather than Walton Co?

I would think that would be the case.

**Beach Runner** · 03-10-2012, 08:40 AM

So is this happening by someone using an RFID reader or someone copying down the card#/expiration date/three-digit code on the back, or both? Or some other technique?

One thing we've done is have our income deposited into an account that has no debit card and no checks. So we never use that account for any transactions. Then we put a small amount into my account and into hubby's account, and those are the accounts from which we write checks or use our debit cards. We never use our debit cards where they would be out of our sight for even a second, so we don't use them at restaurants, for example.

I am definitely going to get a sleeve for my cards to prevent them from being read by a thief with an RFID reader.

I am also going to take your advice and check for fraudulent use of any of our accounts because we were at Seaside for the race too.

Thanks for all of the advice!

**AirRocker** · 03-10-2012, 10:33 AM

My card does not have an RFID chip... so that definitely wasn't it in my case. They acquired my numbers somehow and cloned it onto another card (my bank said they were "swipes" and I had my card in my possession).

When I had my AmEx number stolen a few years back, I called one of the places that the card was fraudulantly used at to obtain the receipt. It showed it as one of those AmEx Gift Cards (that you would buy in the checkout line at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc). That way, it doesn't have a name on it and they can't be asked for ID. I assume that's what they did here as well.

Funny story about my AmEx being stolen... One of the places they used the card was at an Applebee's to buy a couple $100 gift cards. I called and spoke with the manager and he cancelled out the gift cards... so when the scum took their whole family out to eat on MY dime, their gift cards were declined.

**Beach Runner** · 03-10-2012, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by AirRocker

My card does not have an RFID chip... so that definitely wasn't it in my case. They acquired my numbers somehow and cloned it onto another card (my bank said they were "swipes" and I had my card in my possession).

When I had my AmEx number stolen a few years back, I called one of the places that the card was fraudulantly used at to obtain the receipt. It showed it as one of those AmEx Gift Cards (that you would buy in the checkout line at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc). That way, it doesn't have a name on it and they can't be asked for ID. I assume that's what they did here as well.

Funny story about my AmEx being stolen... One of the places they used the card was at an Applebee's to buy a couple $100 gift cards. I called and spoke with the manager and he cancelled out the gift cards... so when the scum took their whole family out to eat on MY dime, their gift cards were declined.

Sometimes I can be so dense. How could they get your numbers if the card was in your possession?

Funny story about Applebee's. I know that you must have a great sense of satisfaction by getting revenge!

**AirRocker** · 03-10-2012, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

Sometimes I can be so dense. How could they get your numbers if the card was in your possession?

Funny story about Applebee's. I know that you must have a great sense of satisfaction by getting revenge!

I have no idea how they got the numbers. Maybe a bad apple in the accounting department at one of the stores I shopped at that could see the credit card records? Maybe a server at a restaurant took a photo of it or wrote them down when they went off to run my card? Maybe someone at a credit card processing company that is used by an establishment I patronized in SoWal? No telling.

It did feel good to get a bit of revenge. :)

**dunelover** · 03-14-2012, 03:03 PM

What did local authorities suggest you do to protect yourself other than keep an eye on your statements? Any updates?

**Miss Kitty** · 03-14-2012, 06:15 PM

I was in SoWal for the month of February and got back to Dallas on the 4th of March. Not sure if there is a connection, but my credit card was compromised at some time and used on March 10th. My cc company was quick to alert me even though it was only a charge of $8.25. New card has arrived.

**jack fish** · 03-15-2012, 08:53 PM

seems like there would be more attention to this matter. we had our cards scammed today and when we called the bank they said we were the 14th caller of the day. their advice to us was to use checks and cash. this seems like a newsworthy happening here in sowal. seems a network of people are hacking into the wifi at publix, gas stations, and elsewhere, stealing our credit card info. be aware. this is a reality.

**Akarin** · 03-16-2012, 12:09 AM

Thanks for the alert! Too bad it's happening here in paradise

It's rampant in South Florida and it seems to have moved up here because too many people have caught on down there. Chances are that the stolen cards are coming from "skimmers" when you use your card at an ATM or gas pump. I do the following to protect myself:

Use those devices in well trafficked areas. Skimmers are harder to install under the watchful eyes of a store clerk or at a busy intersection.
If something looks weird on the ATM like a new sign or additional mirror, go somewhere else because a camera may be present to steal your PIN.
If buttons are hard to push, there may be a keypad overlay stealing your PIN instead of a hidden cameras
If the credit card slot is a manual slider instead of one that sucks in the whole card (although these can be skimmed too), look at the receiver part to see if it looks out of place, too bulky, or loose if you can wiggle it. If so then go somewhere else. There could be a skimmer installed over the bank's card reader which stores your card info on it's way in to the bank's reader... which is how they get the name "skimmer"

If they are getting on to an unlocked wifi in Publix, then they are getting the cards from the Publix computers/registers and not directly from you so there really isn't anything you can do about it except call your bank's fraud department (this scenario was a big true story in South Florida).

Can computer hackers get your credit card info from your computer... yes if you store it on there which you should not do anyways or by a virus which is whole other discussion. But personal one on one attacks are rare because the risk vs reward isn't great enough. If hackers have the know how to steal cards, then they do it in mass batches over computer networks and rob databases. This requires a lot of skill. On the flip side, skimmers are a relatively low tech/high reward device which does not require a lot of skill.

I hope this info helps someone!

**NotDeadYet** · 03-16-2012, 06:27 AM

The Sheriff posted this link on fb. In my humble opinion, the banks should dump this technology and the sooner the better. But, they are defending it in the news media.

**Jdarg** · 03-16-2012, 07:01 AM

Apparently this is happening all over the country, according the national news. Anyone can go online and purchase these card scanners. The scammer pops the card reader out of the gas pump and pops in the purchased scanner, unbeknownst to the customer- they look the same. The news story suggested wiggling the card scanner on the pump- if it seems too wiggly or loose, don't use it. Of course they said the best thing to do is go inside to pay with card or cash- don't pay at the pump.

**NotDeadYet** · 03-16-2012, 08:07 AM

Did you watch the video, jdarg? You don't even need to use your card to get the info from it hacked.
The more I think about this, the more pissed off I get. I'm sure our sheriff has better things to do with his time these days, and the folks ripped off likewise.
What, swiping the card was too much trouble, now you can just wave it to make a purchase? I'm thinking the banks thought this would increase credit card purchases, thereby increasing their profits, and now they are defending an obviously flawed technology.
If the rfid reader is how these scams are being done here, you can see why the Seaside marathon was such an attractive place to use it, all those people close together. Same thing with the Thumb and the Publix, two places where it's easy to get close to people walking around with all those cards in their wallets. Why bother changing out the scanner on the pump when all you have to do is walk around waving your rfid defice at people?
Grrr.

**AirRocker** · 03-16-2012, 09:01 AM

My card (which was stolen locally) did not have an RFID chip.

**NotDeadYet** · 03-16-2012, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by AirRocker

My card (which was stolen locally) did not have an RFID chip.

Yes, I have heard that. I think there is more than one scam happening. Was it a MasterCard? I know someone who got a call from Master Card about a suspicious transaction that was actually okay, but MC told him some of their data had been compromised and they sent him a new card.
What I am curious about Air Rocker, is how you know where it was stolen??

**AirRocker** · 03-16-2012, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

Yes, I have heard that. I think there is more than one scam happening. Was it a MasterCard? I know someone who got a call from Master Card about a suspicious transaction that was actually okay, but MC told him some of their data had been compromised and they sent him a new card.
What I am curious about Air Rocker, is how you know where it was stolen??

Yes, it was a MC Check Card.

I don't know where it was stolen... I just meant that it was caught up in the same scam that other locals are dealing with. They did attempt to use the stolen numbers locally though (at the Winn Dixie in Miramar Beach).

**NotDeadYet** · 03-16-2012, 09:40 AM

Thanks.
I may become one of those people who slows down the whole line writing a check.

**Akarin** · 03-16-2012, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

Thanks.
I may become one of those people who slows down the whole line writing a check.

Yeah that's the RFID digital pick pocketing.

They say that even though criminals get the card, expiration, and printed CVV number, it is supposed to be too difficult to clone because a) there is a transaction related cyptogram that is not stored on the card and b) there is a dynamic CVV number (different than the one on the card) generated and stored at the bank created after each transaction so that number always rotates. "A cloned card cannot be made" is what the "experts" (the people that sold the technology to the banks) say.

Like anything that involves money and criminals, someone will figure a way around that eventually. I'm with you on writing checks!

**Zebraspots** · 03-16-2012, 03:13 PM

Check writing tells them your bank account number and bank and they can use that info to make purchases too. Also tells them your address, zip code, and (if you are dumb enough to print it on there) your driver's license number.

Cash is apparently the way to go.

**30A Eats** · 03-18-2012, 01:43 PM

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

Originally Posted by kurt

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** · 03-18-2012, 03:07 PM

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** · 03-19-2012, 02:31 PM

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** · 03-28-2012, 11:21 AM

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** · 03-28-2012, 08:03 PM

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** · 03-30-2012, 06:07 PM

I wonder if this is related? same time period... http://finance.yahoo.com/news/master...154439326.html

**Dawn** · 03-31-2012, 07:51 PM

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** · 03-31-2012, 08:26 PM

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.