May 18, 2009
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News: Theater CC Thieves
Consumers aren’t safe any where they go nowadays. It has become virtually impossible to escape the deceitful criminal actions of credit card thieves. Incidents of sales clerks placing chips in credit card scanning machines to steal card numbers, phone scams, and online scams are reported every day. Where does it all end? It’s not likely to end as criminals seek out creative methods to illegally acquire personal credit information. Consumers will need to continue being watchful and prudent on handling their valuable information and cards. Most recently two innocent unsuspecting young women fell prey to credit card thieves while relaxing at a movie theater. The incident occurred at the Esquire Theater in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to a Cincinnati’s Local 12 News report, additional incidents also occurred at the Kenwood and Eastgate theaters.
The two victims were watching a movie in separate theaters at the Esquire Theater when the thieves stole their credit cards out of their purses while the purses where sitting at their feet. The suspects, which appear to be two women, removed the cards from the wallets and then placed the wallets back into the purses. Later, the two thieves were caught on a surveillance tape using the credit cards at several Target and Wal-Mart stores. The two female thieves charged nearly $20,000 worth of merchandise plus purchase an additional $1,000 worth of gift cards. The thieves then redeemed the illegal gift cards at stores in Pennsylvania. Total charges for all three incidents are reported at approximately $60,000. Law officials are not yet certain if there are any additional victims of the underhanded theater criminals.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the criminal activities and are looking to identify the thieves. Meanwhile, women are warned to keep close tabs on their purses and wallets. If at all possible, it’s best to leave them at home and only carry what you need on your person. Crimestoppers is offering a reward for any tip that leads to the arrest and conviction of the credit card thieves. A portion of the surveillance tape showing one of the criminals leaving a Target store after fraudulent use of the stolen cards can be viewed on WKRC-TV’s website at www.local12.com. If you have any information about the incident, you are asked to call Crimestoppers at (513) 352-3040. Anonymous tips are welcomed.