Credit Card Alert As Fraud Pulls $79,500
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday May 22, 2007
CREDIT card holders have been warned about increased mail theft after the fleecing of a couple for almost $80,000 when a thief took their card before returning several days later to collect a letter containing its personal identification number (PIN).
The Tighes Hill couple told their bank they had not received their credit card and were sent another.It was not until they received a statement more than a month later that the fraud was discovered.In that time their account, which was linked to their home loan account, was used 67 times and cash totalling $79,500 withdrawn.Newcastle police issued security footage yesterday of a woman wanted for questioning over the fraud.The footage is from the front counter of the Hexham Bowling Club, where the woman is seen handing over a card to a staff member on March 3.The woman was seen later using a card to access funds at an automatic teller machine at the club.Detective Senior Constable Mitch Harvey, of Newcastle police, said records indicated so far that money was taken from the couple's account between January 28 and March 9.It is believed a St George Bank credit card was stolen from the couple's mail, the thief returning several days later to steal another letter that contained the PIN.Suspecting the card was lost in the mail, the couple contacted the bank and had another card sent out."Because it was linked to their home loan account and because they didn't realise it was stolen, the amount of money withdrawn was substantial," Detective Senior Constable Harvey said.The bank has reimbursed the couple.Thieves gained access to the account at ATMs at Mayfield, Jesmond, Lambton, Hamilton, Newcastle, Waratah and pubs and clubs.Anyone with information should contact Newcastle detectives on 4929 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
© 2007 Newcastle Herald
