Airdrie RCMP warn of attempted credit card fraud

On Aug. 24 at 1:13 p.m., the Airdrie RCMP were advised of an attempted fraud that occurred at Visions, located at 294 Sierra Springs Drive.

Employees of the business told RCMP that a man attempted to make a purchase of an Apple laptop computer with a fraudulent credit card. When the savvy employees became suspicious and questioned the man about the card, the suspect left the store, leaving the card and computer behind.

He was seen walking into the parking lot located across the street from Visions, and getting into a grey BMW with a B.C. licence plate. There were two Asian men sitting inside the BMW, waiting for the suspect to complete the transaction.

“The RCMP would like to remind local businesses to provide adequate training to staff that are handling cash transactions,” said Airdrie RCMP Cst. Francine Hennelly.

“Always ask for photo identification and check to see if the identification has been altered in any way. A person trying to use a stolen credit card may also have stolen or fake ID. Examine the signature on the card. If the signature on the credit card is smeared, it could be that the credit card is stolen and the person has changed the signature to his or her own.”

Besides comparing the signature on the credit card with the person’s signature on the credit card slip, compare the signatures as well to those on any other ID presented, she added.

Employees and business owners are also advised to check the security features of the credit card.

“Have another look at the card’s signature panel,” said Hennelly.

“It should show a repetitive colour design of the MasterCard or Visa name. Altered signature panels (those that are discoloured, glued, painted, erased, or covered with white tape) are an indication of credit card fraud.”

Check the credit card’s embossing. “Ghost images” of other numbers behind the embossing are a tip-off that the card has been re-embossed.

The hologram may be damaged. The holograms on credit cards that have not been tampered with will show clear, three-dimensional images that appear to move when the card is tilted.

“Call for authorization of the credit card – remembering to take both the credit card and the sales draft with you. That way if the customer runs away while you’re making the call, you still have the credit card,” said Hennelly.

Destroy all carbon copies of the credit card transaction, to ensure that no one can steal the credit card information and help prevent future credit card fraud, she added.