Eastpointe police investigate flurry of credit card fraud

EASTPOINTE — Multiple cases of credit card fraud have Eastpointe police reminding residents to exercise caution when making transactions.

On Dec. 3, officers were dispatched to speak with a complainant regarding one such case. Police were informed that at around 9 p.m. Nov. 24, the complainant had used an ATM located at a Michigan First Credit Union in Eastpointe, and that upon completing the transaction, she forgot her card in the machine. A short time later, she was notified that 10 unauthorized transactions had taken place using her card, costing her $1,500.

On Nov. 29, officers were dispatched to investigate another fraud complaint. They were told by the complainant that at around 5 p.m. Nov. 27, an unknown suspect made three withdrawals from the complainant’s credit card totaling $600. The victim didn’t know the card was compromised, and she had the card in her possession. She immediately canceled the card. She only noticed the irregularity because she was in a habit of carefully monitoring her bank statements.

In yet another case, on Nov. 22, officers were told by a complainant that sometime on Nov. 21, an unknown suspect withdrew $260 from the complainant’s account at an unknown ATM located in an unknown Speedway gas station. This victim also had his credit card in his possession.

Eastpointe Police Lt. Alexander Holish said in an email that those working in retail should verify the names on credit cards when people make purchases without using pin codes, and for those using pin codes, they shouldn’t write them on the card itself.

He also said to be wary when using credit cards at scanners such as those in gas stations.

“Unfortunately, skimmers are very prevalent these days,” Holish said. “Predators put them on gas pumps or ATM machines. The owners of the machines are not aware. The skimmer then collects credit card information from unsuspecting customers for several days, and the suspect then retrieves the skimmer at a later time, using the information to clone cards, and then using the fraudulent cards for their pleasure.

“My advice is to use the gas pumps that are closest to the gas station building, and to not use ATMS that are located outside of the business,” Holish added. “And try not to use cards where the customer has to hand it to the clerk to complete transactions, like at drive-thrus.”

If you more know more about these crimes or others, call Eastpointe police at (586) 445-5100.