Credit card thieves are becoming more adept at targeting people in places they would least suspect, such as at small-town events and neighborhood shops and grocery stores.
For example, at this year’s Country Fest in Altamont on July 14, a 30-year-old woman from Greene County’s credit card was stolen from her purse after she set it down during an outside altercation that occurred nearby.
The man who is charged with stealing her card, Paul J. Derouville, 30, of Altamont, allegedly used the card immediately at a Sunoco Gas station in the area, where he pumped $29.41 worth of fuel and drove away.
They (credit card thieves) like to utilize smaller areas like the city of Altamont because they think we aren’t equipped to handle it, but we are, said Altamont police Chief Tony Salerno.
The suspect was caught on tape by security cameras at the pump and arrested a week later by Altamont police, who were contacted by the woman, who noticed her card was missing the day after Country Fest.
An investigation followed, leading to the Derouville’s arrest on July 27. He was charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree.
Salerno said the police department is trying to get the word out to the public about preventing personal crimes such as credit-card theft.
`Were really trying to discourage this type of behavior,` he said. `If you’re going to use a stolen credit card, we’re going to pursue it.`
Salerno said that although most people know to cancel their credit cards immediately after they have been lost or stolen, the key is to have the toll-free numbers and credit card numbers handy so that it can be reported without delay. To report a stolen credit card, or any other type of identity fraud, contact the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 438-4338.
A good way to have all this information available is to place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, and copy both sides of your license and credit cards. This way, you will know all the account numbers to call if you should your wallet be lost or stolen.
Salerno also provided the following Better Business Bureau tips on preventing identity theft:
The next time you order checks, have only your initials, instead of your first name, printed with your last name on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials, but the bank will.
When you are making a credit-card payment by check, don’t put the complete account number on the `for` line. Instead, just put the last four numbers, since the credit card company knows the rest of the number.
Have only limited information printed on your checks, and never have your social security or home phone number printed.
If someone calls to offer you a credit card, a prize or other valuable item, never give him or her any personal data and ask them to send you a written application form. If they won’t do it, tell them you’re not interested and hang up. If they do send you something via mail, make sure it’s from a legitimate company, and you can do this by contacting the Better Business Bureau in your area.
Better Business Bureau officials are also warning of thieves using technology to help them scam cardholding.
The Web site states: `When standing in a checkout line at a supermarket, store, gas station or anywhere you may be using your credit card, be watchful of persons using a cell phone. The new phones are capable of photographing your credit card number, your name, and the card’s expiration date.`
If you do become a victim of credit card fraud, call the three national credit-reporting organizations to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number right away. The alert will notify any company that checks your credit that your card has been stolen, and they will contact you. The three numbers are Equifax, (800) 525-6285; Experian (formerly TRW), (888) 397-3742; and Trans Union, (800) 680-7286.
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