JanetTom
04-11-2007, 09:07 PM
I`m sure that all you business owners that have a credit card machines are aware of the scams that are out there, but to beon the safe side I`ll tell you about an incident today in my store. I`m in Longwood on 17-92
5 women come in on Tuesday and pick furniture to the value of $3,000. They don`t have the means to pay, and say Mom wll call with her credit card number on Wednesday. Which she does, all goes through on a discover card for the full amount, processed as card holder "not present" I`m not happy had my suspicions and phoned discover and insited that they contact the cardholder whilst I remain on the line. Turns out the card holder has the card in his hand in Michigan and has not bought furniture from me. Fraud alert put on the card. The suspects return within 20 mins with a uhaul to take away the furniture. It`s an out of state u Haul, and they are eager to get going. I stall them and ask them to come back later. They give me a false name and cell phone number.
What amazed me was the lack of investigation by the local Police. No crime has been committed in FL. only an attempt and it is not a strong enough case to warrant a further investigation. The attorney`s office would consider a prosecution if I brought the matter to their attentin and I as a private individual would have to prosecute, as the REAL victim is the guy in Michigan.
I have enough information of the people involved with cell phones and licene plate numbers to keep a team of detectives busy for several weeks. This team are obviously going around trying to get goods or services using he same scam. On the surface all appears to be in order,and they are quick to collect the goods soon after the phone call is made to give the cc number. Once they know it`s authorised they swoop in. All were black in the mid 20`s, not a good set of teeth between them. They use names like Talesha, Jack Janette, Toman and state they are from Michigan.
There is no "business watch" in force here, and the police did not know how to alert other business owners in the area. So forewarned is forearmed as they say. Keep em peeled guys and gals......:mad: :mad:
5 women come in on Tuesday and pick furniture to the value of $3,000. They don`t have the means to pay, and say Mom wll call with her credit card number on Wednesday. Which she does, all goes through on a discover card for the full amount, processed as card holder "not present" I`m not happy had my suspicions and phoned discover and insited that they contact the cardholder whilst I remain on the line. Turns out the card holder has the card in his hand in Michigan and has not bought furniture from me. Fraud alert put on the card. The suspects return within 20 mins with a uhaul to take away the furniture. It`s an out of state u Haul, and they are eager to get going. I stall them and ask them to come back later. They give me a false name and cell phone number.
What amazed me was the lack of investigation by the local Police. No crime has been committed in FL. only an attempt and it is not a strong enough case to warrant a further investigation. The attorney`s office would consider a prosecution if I brought the matter to their attentin and I as a private individual would have to prosecute, as the REAL victim is the guy in Michigan.
I have enough information of the people involved with cell phones and licene plate numbers to keep a team of detectives busy for several weeks. This team are obviously going around trying to get goods or services using he same scam. On the surface all appears to be in order,and they are quick to collect the goods soon after the phone call is made to give the cc number. Once they know it`s authorised they swoop in. All were black in the mid 20`s, not a good set of teeth between them. They use names like Talesha, Jack Janette, Toman and state they are from Michigan.
There is no "business watch" in force here, and the police did not know how to alert other business owners in the area. So forewarned is forearmed as they say. Keep em peeled guys and gals......:mad: :mad: