A 24 year old West Kelowna man is in custody and faces potential fraud charges after clothes were purchased at a local shop using a sham story and a trick of the pin pad.
On August 6, 2013 at 2:00 pm, the Kelowna RCMP received a report of fraud at MacDermott’s on Bernard located at 595 Bernard Avenue. A man had entered the store and selected several items for purchase. When the man presented a credit card to complete the sale, the chip wouldn't work. Stating that he had “the magic touch” the man took control of the pin pad and manually entered a credit card number. Staff became suspicious and asked for identification prompting the man to claim that he had none but “could be trusted.” When pressed for identification, the man fled without the merchandise and the transaction was reversed.
Apparently, the same man was successful the previous day at MacD’s Lakeside, located at 219 Bernard Avenue. Presenting with a story that all of his belongings had been stolen at the Centre of Gravity, that he needed clothes and that he knew his card number, the man purchased $565 in clothing by manually entering credit card details.
The suspect was later identified by police and arrested for fraud. He faces potential charges of Fraud Under $5000 and Fail to Comply with Recognizance.
Police have information to suggest that there are 3-4 other individuals who are also targeting local stores in this manner and caution retailers to employ strong security business practices:
o Quality of embossing and quality of holograms
o First numbers on card consistent with issuing company
o Name/numbers on card consistent with transaction records
For more business fraud awareness tips, please visit the BC RCMP Website.
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