Fraud case serves as reminder of holiday shopping danger
Guarding against credit card fraud is a year-round challenge. But shoppers must remain especially vigilant now, say consumer advocates.
"There are a variety of ways identity theft can occur. Using credit card numbers is definitely one of those ways, and it's one of the most commonly reported issues to our office, especially during the holiday season," said Natalie Bauer, spokeswoman for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
A reminder of the prevalence of credit card fraud came this week when police upgraded to Class 4 felonies the charges against three Chicago women who police say tried to use stolen and modified credit cards at a Rolling Meadows Meijer Store.
Rolling Meadows Sgt. Tony Gaspari said defendants Cassandra Cherry, Tawanda Niles and Charlotte Gause had initially been charged with misdemeanors after they attempted to purchase between $120 and $140 worth of merchandise at the store in October. The defendants posted bond and were released, but found themselves in court again this week after police upgraded charges against them.
Bond was set at $2,000 each for 38-year-old Cherry, of the 8000 block of S. St. Lawrence Ave., and Niles, 28. of the 10000 block of S. Normal Ave. Gause, 40, of the 7600 block of S. Rhodes Ave., received a $10,000 individual recognizance bond. Each was charged with possession of an altered credit card. If convicted, they could face from one to three years in prison.
A sharp-eyed Meijer cashier noticed the numbers imprinted on the credit cards Cherry and Niles attempted to use did not match the numbers encoded on the cards' magnetic strips, said Assistant State's Attorney Adam Klugman. Additionally, Cherry tried to use a card reported as lost or stolen. Gause tried to use a Visa gift card reported as stolen.
The women were stopped in their vehicle as they attempted to leave, Klugman said.
Cherry told police she "got a good deal" on the fraudulent cards, which the women claimed they bought at a Chicago beauty parlor, Klugman said. In their statements to police, the women denied knowing the cards were altered, said Klugman.
To safeguard against theft, the Attorney General's Office recommends consumers carry only those credit cards they know they will need, Bauer said.
She also advises shoppers to keep a close eye on the card throughout the transaction.
"Get it back immediately following the purchase," said Bauer, "and take the receipts with you."
Perils also exist for those who shop online. To that end, Bauer recommends patronizing only reputable online retailers with which you're familiar. She also recommends noting the store's street address and phone number in the event issues arise.
"Use secure web browsers and never send private financial or identifying information through e-mail," Bauer said, adding that no reputable company asks patrons to supply sensitive information via e-mail.
"If you can, pay with a credit card," Bauer said. "Using a credit card affords you consumer protection that isn't available through other options."
Additionally, Bauer advises consumers to keep track of their online transactions by printing a copy of online orders to compare with their statements.