FLORENCE, Ky. — Florence police are asking the public to help them catch two people suspected of credit card cloning.
The pair, a man and a woman, were caught on security camera paying visits to a Florence Wal-Mart and Gamestop, where they purchased diapers, cosmetics and a brand-new Playstation 4 — and paid for all of it with cloned credit cards, according to Deputy Corporal Erik Daniels of the Florence Police Department.
Credit card cloning is a crime that entails stealing a person’s credit card information online and loading it onto another, blank card, which can then be used just like the original. This tactic allows thieves and hackers to steal from cardholders without ever coming into direct physical contact with them.
“A lot of times, (what cloners buy) is stuff that they can resell easily and make money that way, or it’s loading up gift cards to other stores, or Visa pre-paid cards,” Daniels said.
Police hope that circulating photos of the two suspected cloners, as well as their car, could help catch them.
In the meantime, Daniels urged the public to be mindful of the transactions listed on their credit card statement and keep an eye out for any purchases they don’t remember making. If something odd appears on your credit card bill, it could be a purchase made by someone who’s stolen your information.
"Just kind of use common sense when you're using your card,” he said. “If anything seems to be out of place, then I would avoid making that purchase."
