NEWS: Delaware Bank Accoutholders at Risk
This week, customers at several Delaware banks
reported funds being filched from their checking
and savings accounts after making purchases at a
Rite Aid store at the Graylyn Crest Shopping
Center using PIN-based debit cards.
Those
reporting the incidences of theft so far are
customers at Wachovia, Wilmington Trust, PNC,
DPL Federal Credit Union, Dexsta Federal Credit
Union, Commerce Bank, and Delaware National
Bank. The Rite Aid purchases were found to be
the common denominator between the affected
consumers, who number around fifty at this
point. The unauthorized withdrawals have ranged
from $500 - $1,000 apiece, and at least a few
customers had more than one withdrawal made
against their account. The withdrawals have been
traced to Montgomery, PA and Delaware County,
PA, although officials agree that they expect to
find more locations.
The Rite Aid location that has been identified
as the epicenter of the breech is running an
internal investigation, and is also being
investigated by Delaware police.
The financial institutions holding the pilfered
accounts are currently undertaking damage
control measures to not only secure the accounts
tampered with, but also protect their other
accountholders. Many are issuing new cards to
account holders by mail.
Until the issue is resolved, experts advise that
the best way to prevent theft of your PIN number
is to run your debit card as a credit
transaction that requires your signature to
complete it.
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