Putting a new spin on the cheese ring are some employees at a local Cheesecake Factory in Friendship Heights,
Washington D.C. The alleged credit card fraud ring, netted a substantial $117,000 of bogus charges before being discovered. Three staff members of the Factory who were responsible for the double swipe received around $25-40 per card.
The cards were swiped at a phony station where the personal credit information was skimmed, taking the number as well as pertinent personal information. The counterfeit electronic skimmers were then handed off to enterprising fraudsters that would take the information and use it to make fake credit cards and then later used to buy gift cards.
Federal officials were alerted of the possible scheme in April of last year when it was brought to their attention that several fake charges appeared on cards that had been used at the Cheesecake Factory.
A Complete Inside Job
Before a patron’s card can be used to pay for a transaction, the restaurant server at the Cheesecake Factory has to swipe a unique server card to activate the register. This allowed investigators to pinpoint the servers that were taking part in the fraud ring.
Ms. Ward was contracted to get paid $40 per stolen card. The other servers, who were recruited by Ward, would get $25 from Ward for each card. The original boss, know only as “Slim”, was not prompt with payment for the stolen cards so Ward moved up the chain and started working and providing cards to the next higher up in the chain of command, a person only known as “G”.
“G” was more professional with payments and provided Ward with skimmers regularly. Every two weeks “G” would pick up the skimmers and return them within a couple of days to keep the card numbers rolling in.
Although the servers were getting minimal amounts for the card numbers they stole, officials estimate that fraudulent charges made on the cards added up to over $117,000 in the year.
Prevent Becoming a Statistic in Credit Card Fraud
Unsuspecting customers are often the target of unscrupulous fraudsters. To prevent being a statistic of card skimming follow these simple tips.
• Never let your card out of your sight. Even if the server seems to be an upstanding citizen don’t let appearances fool you. Likewise never lend your credit card to someone. Although they may not make extra or fraudulent charges they may not be as scrupulous about letting it out of sight.
• Have an up to date signature on the card. If it has no signature and it gets lost, fraudsters can easily sign it and use it as their own.
• Carry credit cards separately. This is so if someone, namely a thief, steals a wallet or purse, they will not have access to the valuable credit cards.
• When the card and receipt is returned check that no additional charges have been put on the card.
• Check the credit statement every month. Keep receipts and compare receipts with charges on the card. Each item should be identified. If unusual charges are made bring them to the attention of the card company immediately.
• Never give out credit card information or other personal numbers over the phone, cell phone or in public or work environment. People have big ears and may copy down information and use it or sell it for personal gain.
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