VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings while you’re out shopping. In Virginia Beach, a theft and fraud scheme left a woman with thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges on her credit card.
On Sept. 24, a woman browsing the cosmetics aisle at T.J. Maxx on Virginia Beach Boulevard was approached by a man. The man was persistent in striking up conversations about face cream.
While she was distracted, another person stole her wallet out of her purse in the unattended cart. A third suspect helped steal from her wallet while keeping a lookout.
Using the victim's credit cards, the three suspects went on a shopping spree at three Pembroke Square stores, amassing about $10,000 in fraudulent charges.
It’s possible that the suspects are repeat offenders at the store.
Financial experts believe that as we move closer to a cashless society, opportunities for credit card fraud could expand.
60% of credit card users in the U.S. have been victimized by fraud, and 45% have experienced fraud more than once. According to state police records, more than 7,900 Virginians were victims of credit card and ATM fraud, losing a total of more than $10.5 million
If you notice unauthorized charges on your credit card, you should contact your bank immediately. Always alert your bank if you lose your card to prevent others from using it illegally, and keep your receipts – as they could contain sensitive information.
