Female shoplifter threatened LP associates with knife

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two female suspects who allegedly stole items from Target at Ala Moana Center in Hawaii and threatened a loss prevention associate with a pocket-knife. Just after 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 28, the two suspects entered the retail store, selected some items and left the establishment without paying for the merchandise. Police said the LP associate stopped the suspects outside of the store when one of the perpetrators brandished a pocket knife and threatened to stab the victim. Both suspects then fled. Anyone with information is asked to call police or CrimeStoppers.   [Source: Star Advertiser]

Employee accused of $8,400 theft

A former worker at the KFC restaurant in New York was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing an estimated $8,400 from the eatery while working there, police said. Tanya S. White, 43, of Schenectady, was arrested after an investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office after restaurant administration noticed an apparent theft, officials said. Police determined that White was taking orders from customers but not entering them into the restaurant’s cash register between last April and last month, resulting in felony counts of grand larceny and falsifying business records, according to the Sheriff’s Office. White was arraigned in Queensbury Town Court and released on her own recognizance. Sheriff’s Patrol Officer Jesse Pound and Investigator Doug David investigated the case. [Source: The Post Star]

Credit card scam believed to be key to 3 murders

Three Dec. 28 murders in D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland, are believed to be connected, with the connection being a credit card scam they were involved in, police said in court documents. One man, 23-year-old Ashton Briscoe of Northeast, faces a charge of first-degree murder while armed in the murder of Kerrice Lewis, 23, of Hyattsville, Maryland. Lewis’ body was found in the trunk of a burning car in a Southeast alley to the rear of Adrian Street. Court documents filed in Superior Court in D.C. say she had been shot 15 times before she was burned. The credit card scam is believed to be what led to her death; however, the documents do not elaborate on the type of scam allegedly being run. Police said in the affidavit to arrest Briscoe that they had been told “Dennis (Travon) Whitaker and Ms. Lewis were beefing, because Dennis Whitaker believed Ms. Lewis had set him up and got him shot at.” In the 10-page affidavit, police outlined the links connecting Briscoe, Whitaker and Malique Lewis, 20, with Kerrice Lewis, whose body was found at 7:21 p.m. Dec. 28, and the bodies of her two friends, Ronzay Green, 23, and  Armani Coles, 27. Police found Green, who had been shot, at 11:20 a.m. Dec. 28 on the parking lot of a 7-Eleven in Northeast.  [Source: WTOP News]

Three employees fired, restaurant closes to ‘regroup’ after video alleges racial profiling [Viral Video]

Three employees have been fired and a restaurant closed down after a Missouri woman posted a video on Facebook that she says demonstrates the racial profiling that black people in America deal with. The video is a recording of her and her friend’s encounter with a police officer, a mall security guard and a manager at the Applebee’s restaurant at Independence Mall on Saturday. “This is what black people have to deal with if you want to know,” one of the women says. The women were eating dinner there when two officers approached them about an incident that had happened the day before, in which two women, apparently resembling them left without paying for their food. However, the women say the server’s description of the dine-and-dashing women was vague, with few details other than skin color and body size. “We have not been here!” Asia Hardy repeatedly exclaims to one officer. In a statement released Monday evening, Applebee’s said the restaurant’s manager, a server, and another employee involved in the incident have been fired after an internal investigation. The franchise also said the Independence Center location is now temporarily closed “in order for the team there to regroup, reflect, learn and grow from this.” Applebee’s said they are reaching out to apologize to the two women. [Source: Fox4KC News]

More Secret Service resources needed to combat credit card skimming

In the wake of a rash of local credit card “skimming” episodes, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is asking the Secret Service to provide more resources to confront the crimes. “In Livingston County alone over the past seven weeks more than 20 separate cases of credit card fraud were reported that officials believe is the result of skimmers recently uncovered at area gas stations,” Schumer wrote in a letter to Secret Service Director Randolph Alles. ” It is vital that we address this form of fraud that victimizes hundreds of New Yorkers and creates fear in thousands more.” Credit card “skimmers” have become more common methods for pilfering credit card numbers. The skimmer is a clandestine device designed to steal credit card information by “skimming” the magnetic strips on cards swiped at ATMs or gas stations. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also reported several skimming incidents in late 2017. Schumer is urging the Secret Service to increase the number of agents and resources to counter skimming crimes. He also is recommending enhanced collaboration with local law enforcement. [Source: Democrat & Chronicle]

Amazon laying off ‘hundreds’ of corporate employees

Amazon is laying off employees, mostly in its consumer retail business, numbering in the “several hundreds,” two people familiar with the matter told The Seattle Times. Layoffs are expected to hit the corporate headquarters, as well as elsewhere in its global operations. In an emailed statement to RetailDIVE, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the company is “making headcount adjustments across the company… small reductions in a couple of places and aggressive hiring in many others. For affected employees, we work to find roles in the areas where we are hiring.” As of Monday, the spokesperson said Amazon has 3,900 jobs open in Seattle and 12,000 jobs open worldwide in its corporate operations, and it will continue to grow. “As you have reported, over the past five months, we have secured at least 1 million square feet in the city … a sign we will keep hiring here,” the spokesperson said, adding that the space would allow the company to hire an additional 5,000 people. [Source: RetailDIVE]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: February 14, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Chicago man accused of stealing more than $20K of lingerie

A 40-year-old Chicago man was charged with running a continuing criminal enterprise after police arrested him Feb. 15. Police said he is accused in the theft of about $3,500 worth of merchandise from the Victoria’s Secret store in the Harlem Irving Plaza, and police also tied him to six previous thefts of items totaling more than $20,000 from the same store. Ivan Hernandez, of the 4400 block of Cortez Street, was arrested by Norridge police after a short chase, according to police. He was charged with criminal enterprise, as well as aggravated resisting arrest after an officer was injured during the arrest, said Norridge Detective Sgt. Brian Loughran. Bond was set at $75,000 for Hernandez, who as of Monday morning remained in custody. He is scheduled to appear at the Rolling Meadows courthouse on March 9. The criminal enterprise charge is based on a series of felony violations in concert with other people, police said. On Feb. 16, Norridge police, acting on information obtained from Hernandez, received a search warrant and discovered stolen property, which had been taken from the Norridge Victoria’s Secret store, at a store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago, Loughran said.

Police recovered roughly $3,500 worth of Victoria Secret’s merchandise from the store, Loughran said. Also, Juan Balbontin, 28, of the 3000 block of New England Avenue in Chicago, was charged with possession of stolen property, Loughran said. Balbontin was issued a $25,000 I-Bond, Loughran said, and he is scheduled to appear in court March 9. In seeking the criminal enterprise charge, police connected Hernandez through surveillance with six previous thefts at the Victoria Secret’s Store, in the mall at 4132 N. Harlem Ave., before his arrest, Loughran said. The thefts occurred on Jan. 31, Feb. 4 (two times), Feb. 5, Feb. 6 and Feb. 10, Loughran said. He mostly focused on women’s panties, Loughran said. Police asked store personnel to be on the lookout for Hernandez, instructing them to call 911 and contact mall security if he made another appearance, Loughran said. In the most recent theft, a store employee spotted him and contacted mall security, who in turn contacted Norridge police, Loughran said. Responding officers chased Hernandez, capturing him behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken on the 3900 block of North Harlem Avenue, Loughran said. [Source: Chicago Tribune]

Woman accused of threatening store LP associate

A Hartford, Connecticut,  woman accused of shoplifting has been arrested on robbery charges after she threatened to use a needle to harm a store loss prevention associate, police said. The woman, Tammy Osga, 50, was charged Feb. 24 with second-degree robbery and sixth-degree larceny. According to a police report, officers were called to the Big Y store at 234 Tolland Turnpike on a report of a shoplifting incident that turned into a fight. Osga was detained in the store’s loss prevention office, police said. Store loss prevention associates told police Osga loaded cases of energy drinks, chips, and apples into a shopping cart, then walked out of the store through the floral department without paying for the items. When an LP associate confronted Osga, she attempted to push past him and he restrained her, police said. The associate said Osga told him, “Stay away, I have a needle.” Store LP staff said Osga was escorted to the loss prevention office while she attempted to dig through her purse for the needle, police said. Osga gave police her maiden name and told them she didn’t have a needle. She threatened the associate “in hopes of getting away because she did not want to go back to jail,” police said. Osga is held at York Correctional Institute in lieu of $15,000 bond on the robbery charge and $10,000 on the failure to appear charge. She is to appear in Superior Court on March 16.
[Source: Journal Inquirer]

Three men arrested in connection with credit card skimming ring

Three men are behind bars after Wilmington Police in North Carolina received information from Myrtle Beach that a credit card skimming ring was operating out of the Port City. Police stopped a vehicle around 1:30 p.m. Monday and found more than $9,000 in cash, credit cards, pin numbers, debit card skimming devices and pin-hole cameras in the vehicle. The men arrested are 21-year-old Ricardo David Abdel, 22-year-old Diego Pablo Arostegui, and 31-year-old Walter Enrique Correa Cisneros. The men are from the Miami, Florida area. All three have been charged with false pretense, credit card fraud and identity theft. All three men are in the New Hanover County Jail each under a $200,000 bond. Authorities believe the ring was operating across multiple states. The Secret Service is also involved. [Source: WWAY3 News]

Police officer resigns after allegedly shoplifting ‘AirPods’ from Apple Store

An New Orleans Police Officer resigned after allegedly shoplifting from the Lakeside Mall Apple Store while in uniform. According to The New Orleans Advocate, Officer Ayona McGilberry was picking up her phone from the Apple Store when she asked about some “AirPods” wireless headphones, which retail for about $160. McGillberry told the sales associate that she wouldn’t purchase them before allegedly walking out of the store with them while the staff watched. Staff contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, which then contacted NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau (PIB). McGillberry was issued a summons by PIB and then resigned from her position, according to NOPD. She was given a misdemeanor theft court summons. McGillberry joined the NOPD in July of 2016.  [Source: WWL4 News]

Three nabbed after $1.3K shoplifting incident at pharmacy

A trio was busted attempting to steal more than $1,000 worth of over-the-counter medication from a Westport, Connecticut, CVS, police said. Officers from the Westport Police Department were dispatched to CVS on Feb. 27, officials announced over the weekend, when there was a report of several suspects who had shoplifted the medications and fled the store. According to police, an officer who was nearby followed the only vehicle that was in the area, which was occupied by four men. The officer was able to stop the car on Riverside Avenue, where the occupants were found in possession of more than 90 pain and cold medications with a value of more than $1,300 inside the car. The driver was identified as Queens resident Kingdom Utin, and his passengers were Uniondale resident Jalen Gonzales, Jamaica resident Sterling Jones and a juvenile, whose name was not released by police. They were later positively identified as the suspects who shoplifted from the CVS location. Gonzales and Jones were charged with fourth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny. Utin was charged with conspiracy to commit larceny. Each was held on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Justice Court on Wednesday to answer the charges. The juvenile was issued a summons to appear in court and released on his own recognizance. [Source: Norwalk Daily Voice]

Employee processed $1.4K in fraudulent returns

A worker at the Belk store in Pecanland Mall is facing charges of felony theft after she allegedly processed over $1.4K in fraudulent returns.  According to an arrest report for Rebecca Ford, 23, Wilson Drive, Monroe Police were dispatched to Belk on Friday to speak with a loss prevention associate. The associate said Ford falsely returned various children’s clothing articles between Jan. 12 and March 2 and placed a total of $1482.03 in refunds on gift cards. Ford kept the gift cards for her personal use, according to the report.  Officers said Ford provided a written statement admitting to the theft. She was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on Friday.  Bail was set at $2,500, and the suspect bonded out Saturday morning. [Source: The NewsStar]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: March 7, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Shoplifting suspect dies after chase, wrecks

A shoplifting suspect has died after a wreck following a chase by a South Carolina sheriff’s deputy. Highway Patrol Cpl. Bill Rhyne told news outlets the wreck happened around noon Monday on Interstate 20 in Richland County. Investigators say the front-seat passenger in a pickup truck that ran from a sheriff’s deputy died after the driver crashed into a fence, sending one of the fence posts through the windshield. Rhyne said the man was taken to a hospital where he died. His name wasn’t immediately released. The pickup driver, Calvin Garrett Liabastre, has been charged with felony driving under the influence involving death. It was not known if he has an attorney. The chase came after employees at a home improvement store saw the suspects trying to steal. [Source: Fox News]

Loss prevention supervisor charged with theft

A woman has been charged with stealing more than $55,000 from the Groton, Connecticut store where she oversaw loss prevention. The Norwich Bulletin reports that 37-year-old Janise Gabco-Bowles is charged with theft from the Kohl’s in Groton where she worked as a loss prevention supervisor. Police say she made fraudulent returns and received cash in exchange for items she had never purchased. Investigators say surveillance video of the returns was missing and someone in the loss prevention office likely disabled the system. Gabco-Bowles was fired from the store in December and arrested in January. She is separately charged with shoplifting from grocery store on Christmas Eve. [Source: Bristol Herald Courier]

Suspects smash car through doors of store, take off with merchandise

Police are searching for a group of suspects who smashed a car into the front of Saks Fifth Avenue, then took off with as much merchandise as they could carry. The broken gates and wooden boards mark the spot where police say the group of robbers smashed a car into the Saks at the Fashion Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana. “After 3 a.m. a rental car from out of state was driven through the east doors of the Saks,” said IMPD North District Commander Josh Barker. At least six people then ran into the store, wearing hoods to cover their faces. Police say each one grabbed as much merchandise as they could carry. A security guard who heard the car smash through the glass ran over to stop them. “The suspects were alerted to his presence which interrupted the theft and they fled pretty quickly. One of the suspects tackled the security guard,” said Commander Barker. Police say the thieves had so much stuff they dropped several items on their way out.

The group then took off in other cars waiting in the parking lot including a red SUV and a white car. Police believe this group may be connected to other similar retail thefts. “It is not uncommon for there to be a somewhat organized retail theft ring that operates in a multi-state area not just multi-jurisdictional,” said Commander Barker. In just the past year, IMPD reports show they have responded to the Fashion Mall around 100 times for a range of theft, robbery, burglary, and larceny cases. Over at Castleton Square Mall, also a Simon Property, IMPD reports they have responded to triple that amount. One of those cases was back in February when suspects smashed jewelry cases and took off with more than $100,000 in merchandise. As for how much these thieves stole… “They are still going through the inventory to do a count of what they have and what is missing and they will provide us a total for the loss,” said Commander Barker. If you have information on this smash and grab case, call IMPD or Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.  [Source: CBS4Indy]

Cops think they rehearsed this burglary caught on tape; Have you seen these suspects? [Viral Video]

Sheriff’s deputies in Pierce County, Washington, want help identifying a man and woman believed to be involved in the theft of a $1,900 gaming system from a Walmart. The man is suspected of placing a computer gaming system and monitor in a shopping cart and then pushing the cart out of the store shortly before midnight on Feb. 21, according to a post on the Sheriff’s department’s Facebook page. Surveillance cameras captured video of the man and woman entering the Mountain Highway store and then the man leaving minutes later with a cart full of loot. The man loaded the stolen merchandise into a maroon SUV driven by the woman, police said. The man, wearing a black coat and Chicago Bulls cap, can then be seen entered the store again before fleeing the scene in the SUV. “She takes off and (the) suspect walks back in the store, empty-handed, probably trying to determine if anybody’s coming after him, or not, or to run interference,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Ed Troyer told Q13-TV. “These are definitely (people who have) rehearsed this and (are) out committing retail theft. We want to get them caught before more people become victims.” Those with information about the suspects are asked to call 800-222-8477.  [Source: The News Tribune]

Man sent to prison for using credit card ‘skimmers’

Juan Quintero Garcia served 5½ months in a Tennessee jail in 2016 for illegally using credit card “skimming” devices at gas stations.What did Garcia do after his release? Reconnect with his old accomplice, drive to Chesapeake and start doing it all over again. Garcia, 31, of Miami, was sentenced Monday in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, to four years and four months in prison. His 28-year-old accomplice, Omar Machado Blanco of Miami, was sentenced earlier this month to four years and nine months. Chesapeake police started investigating in March 2017 after receiving more complaints than usual about unauthorized credit card use, according to court documents. Police said surveillance videos and citizen tips helped detectives tie the trend to skimming devices installed at gas stations by Garcia and Blanco. When placed on a gas pump or other credit card terminal, such devices capture the card numbers of unsuspecting shoppers. Both men were arrested April 21. When Blanco was taken into custody, court documents say, police found a skimming device holding about a dozen account numbers, along with multiple cards whose magnetic stripes had been re-coded with stolen account information. Blanco also had “two small keys capable of unlocking gas pumps at 7-11 gas stations throughout Chesapeake,” the documents say. Investigators identified 43 victims who suffered a combined loss of $7,105.70, the documents say.

Garcia and Blanco pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court to aggravated identity theft. Garcia also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of credit card making equipment and Blanco pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Young argued for both men to receive sentences of 4½ years, and he noted how quickly Garcia returned to crime after his release from jail. Blanco was never charged in Tennessee, but court documents say Garcia told authorities the two had both installed skimmers in that state. Garcia’s Virginia lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Amanda Conner, said he was an immigrant who fled Cuba in 2005, shortly before his 18th birthday, and was granted lawful permanent resident status. She said a federal conviction could lead to his deportation, even though the Cuban government had notified him he could face the death penalty upon his return because he didn’t serve in the military. “The fear of returning to this oppressive regime weighs heavily on his mind and is a motivating factor for him to put any and all criminal involvement behind him,” Conner wrote, asking for a sentence of two years and three months. U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson said Garcia and Blanco, who had a longer criminal record, deserved similar sentences for their apparent “tour of the East Coast doing crimes.”  “You surely knew what you were doing was wrong,” the judge told Garcia.  [Source: The Virginian-Pilot]

Retail fraud suspect arraigned after chase from retailer

Green Oak Township police arrested a 23-year-old Detroit woman they said led officers on a chase that started at a Kohl’s store parking lot and ended with a crash on on M-14 near Plymouth. The suspect, Lamika Samon James, was arraigned on felony charges of fleeing and eluding, organized retail crime and retail fraud, Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt said in an email Monday. Each charge has a maximum five-year sentence. She was also arraigned on misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and providing false identification to a police officer. Police responded to a report of a retail fraud in progress around 2:44 p.m. Thursday, according to a press release from Green Oak Township police. Prior to their arrival, officers were informed the suspect was fleeing in a gray Chevrolet Impala. Officers saw the vehicle exit the parking lot and head north on Whitmore Lake Road and then southbound on U.S. 23. The vehicle continued eastbound M-14 until crashing just west of Interstate 275 near Sheldon Road, according to the release. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The suspect was treated for what police said were minor injuries at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia before going to Livingston County Jail. The press release said the suspect had been in the store “removing security devices from numerous high end electronics and placing them into a bag.” Police said the woman told arresting officers she was a 16-year-old juvenile. Her mother, who arrived at the hospital where the woman was treated after the crash, also told police she was a juvenile, the release said. Police say the suspect is a 23-year-old and also is a Michigan Department of Corrections parole absconder who has been sought since December 2017. Bond was set at $10,000. [Source: Livingston Daily]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: March 28, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Man who planted gas pump skimmers gets 9 years in federal prison

A Florida man was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in federal prison for planting credit card skimming devices inside gas pumps in Madison, Wisconsin, that were used to steal credit card numbers from unsuspecting customers. U.S. District Judge William Conley said he didn’t impose the sentence on Alejandro Arias-Perez lightly, but said he felt compelled to hand down the sentence to send a message to others about the seriousness of “rampant credit card fraud that occurs, and you being at the leading edge of it.” “What is sadly apparent from the record is how capable you are and how greatly misdirected your skills have been,” Conley said. “You said you did this to support your family, but you did this at the expense of an awful lot of people.” In all, federal authorities said, Arias-Perez, 29, of Miami, had gathered about 50,000 stolen credit card numbers from which he created cards that were used to methodically make fraudulent purchases at stores in a number of states of items that were eventually sold for cash. In November, Arias-Perez pleaded guilty to possession of a credit card skimming device that was placed at a Shell gas station. A second count, for placing a skimmer at a BP station was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Under advisory federal sentencing guidelines, because of the scope of the thefts and Arias-Perez’s role as leader of an enterprise of more than five people, he could have received a sentence between 12½ and 15½ years. Conley said that range seems high for a white-collar crime, but given the need to send a message about credit card fraud, “it doesn’t strike me as an outrageous range.”  [Source: Wisconsin State Journal]

Man allegedly hits retailer for $86,000 in refund fraud since 2012

Analytic reporting identified a Gilbert, Arizona, man who reportedly stole nearly $86,000 worth of items from Home Depot. Chandler Police report that from February 2012 to February 2018, Antoine Elkik, 57, made nearly $86,000 by stealing goods from Home Depot stores in Maricopa County. Police say Elkik would legitimately purchase products, put them in his car, then immediately go back to the store with his receipt and select the same products and exit the store. If he were questioned, he would show the sales associate the receipt from the prior purchase. He would later, reportedly, return the stolen products to the store for a refund. Police say he purchased 402 items since 2012, returning all of them for refunds. Home Depot Organized Crime Investigators said, “Antoine was identified through analytical reporting in which he was showing a high amount of refunds.” He was arrested on March 27 and has been charged with 30 counts of retail theft.  [Source: NBC2 News]

Smugglers used aerial drones to sneak $80 million in iPhones into China

Chinese authorities have arrested 26 people who were part of an iPhone smuggling operation between Hong Kong and the mainland city of Shenzhen. The criminals used aerial drones to connect two 660-foot cables between two high-rise buildings, and then passed as many as 15,000 iPhones per night across the border. According to Reuters, the state-owned Legal Daily reports that it was the latest escalation in smuggling operations that have been going on for years. “It’s the first case found in China that drones were being used in cross-border smuggling crimes,” customs officials said. The arrests were made in February as part of a joint anti-smuggling effort between authorities in the two cities. It’s unclear from the reports exactly which drones were used, but Drone Life speculates that at least one was a modified DJI Phantom 4, judging from the images released by Chinese media. Ironically, the drone may even have been manufactured in Shenzhen, which is a Chinese tech hub and home to a DJI plant. Once the cable was attached between the buildings, the smugglers sent individual packages of 10 iPhones across. Working in the dead of night, they were able to pass as many as 15,000 phones per night across the border. Over a six-month period, that added up to 500 million yuan ($79.8 million) in refurbished iPhones.

Although the majority of iPhone manufacturing is done in China, taxes and fees make it prohibitively expensive to own one, and there’s a thriving black market for smugglers. An iPhone that costs $1,000 in the U.S. may run upwards of $3,000 in China. One woman was recently caught at the Chinese border with more than a hundred phones and 75 luxury watches strapped to her body. Other enterprising criminals have used Twinkie boxes, coffee tins, and toothpaste containers.    [Source: Digital Trends]

More than 1,000 people avoid jail time, record through Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion Program

A recent program in Florida that helps people committing minor offenses avoid jail time is working by cutting costs at the jail, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. In 2017, Pinellas County avoided booking more than 1,700 people into the county jail through their Adult Pre-Arrested Diversion Program, or APAD, which launched in 2016. More than 30 percent of the people admitted to the program were charged with retail theft. As a result, offenders admitted into APAD do not face jail time. Instead, they complete community service or pay fines. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s office said in a letter released earlier this year that the program is working by cutting major costs of taking these offenders to jail. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri also says it creates consequences for breaking the law. Some stores say they will continue to turn offenders into police no matter what. Lesley McDaid, co-owner of One Amazing Find in Tarpon Springs, recently captured a woman on security camera stealing more than $140 of high-end chalk paint. “It’s infuriating to thing that somebody can just so quickly think that they can come into our home, which is what I consider my store, pick up whatever they feel like and walk out the door,” McDaid said. Frustrated, she posted the security camera footage on her store’s Facebook page asking for the public’s help in identifying her. The video got thousands of shares. Eventually, someone identified the thief and police were able to contact her. Tarpon Springs Police said that woman was referred to the APAD program.   [Source: ABC Action News]

Restaurant’s web site leaks millions of customer records

Panera Bread’s web site for the American chain of bakery-cafe fast casual restaurants by the same name, leaked millions of customer records including names, email and physical addresses, birthdays and the last four digits of the customer’s credit card number, for at least eight months before it was yanked offline earlier Wednesday, KrebsOnSecurity is reporting. The data available in plain text from Panera’s site appeared to include records for any customer who has signed up for an account to order food online via panerabread.com. The St. Louis-based company, which has more than 2,100 retail locations in the United States and Canada, allows customers to order food online for pickup in stores or for delivery. KrebsOnSecurity learned about the breach after being contacted by security researcher Dylan Houlihan, who said he initially notified Panera about customer data leaking from its web site back on August 2, 2017. Fast forward to early this afternoon, exactly eight months to the day after Houlihan first reported the problem, and data shared by Houlihan indicated the site was still leaking customer records in plain text. Worse still, the records could be indexed and crawled by automated tools with very little effort.  [Source: KrebsOnSecurity]

Locking shopping carts to prevent thefts

IN Oregon, local Fred Meyer stores are rolling out a new device to hopefully keep shoplifters from leaving with merchandise. At the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer, the grocery carts now have locking devices on the wheels. The system is designed to prevent shoplifters from loading up a cart and then heading out the doors without paying. How it works is customers go through a checkout lane where there’s a deactivator for the locking device, including at self checkout. After paying, it’ll deactivate the carts from locking, so customers can easily leave the store, according to Tabitha Shelton, the assistant manager at Fred Meyer. “It does help prevent loss in our stores, definitely,” Shelton said. “We would have certain incidents where things go out the door, so now we can be more aware of it and it sets off a camera, so our loss prevention associates can look at it and determine why it did go off.”  The locking devices also help alleviate the store loss prevention team’s job as it’s tough for them to detain someone inside the store suspected of shoplifting when the thief could say they were planning to pay. There are some technical bugs they’re working out with the carts. Some people paid, but their carts still locked as they tried to leave. However, loss prevention does have a quick-release device to help them get on their way. “It does need to be right in front of the sensor for about 30 seconds — normally the time it takes to unload a shopping cart,” Shelton said. The carts have signs on them explaining how the locking devices work — and customers seem to like it. “I support that idea. I think you should be able to protect your business,” customer Tom Fiora said. Fred Meyer said it has 7 stores in the Portland area with locking devices on the carts and more on the way.   [Source: KOIN6 CBS News]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: April 5, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

For first time, PD teams with loss prevention to catch shoplifters

Eight Anchorage, Alaska, police officers spent a day inside one of the city’s larger retail stores this month patrolling for shoplifters. Over eight hours on Dec. 1, police arrested six people at a Fred Meyer store on Abbott Road. Police say the six separately tried to steal more than $1,100 of merchandise in all. It was the first instance of Anchorage police teaming up with a retail store with the goal of catching shoplifters in action. The initiative reflected broad frustration among local retailers about what’s been characterized as a sharp rise in property crime in the past two years. Dozens of new officers have been hired in recent years, which allows police to dedicate more time to proactive policing, said Capt. Kevin Vandegriff, who leads the department’s crime suppression unit. But Vandegriff said police had also been hearing reports from private security groups around the city that thefts were coming more often with the threat of violence. Vandegriff didn’t have specific data to corroborate the claims, and research by the University of Alaska Anchorage has shown that the rates of larceny and violent crime have declined in Anchorage over the past 30 years. Research tied to Alaska’s criminal justice reform has shown that putting people in jail for short periods of time for shoplifting isn’t an effective deterrent, and some cities, like Juneau, are working on programs that target the deeper issues that might motivate theft, like addiction or mental illness. But some of the stories were frightening, Vandegriff said: People caught pushing carts of stolen goods out of stores had drawn guns or knives on employees. Major retailers employ individualss known as “loss prevention associates” to patrol stores or watch front entrances for shoplifting. If a person is caught shoplifting, those charges go directly to local and state prosecutors. If the accused thief threatens to use violence, store employees contact police, Vandegriff said. But it often takes a long time for an officer to show up, Vandegriff said. By then, suspects can be long gone. [Source: Anchorage Daily News]

eBay privacy breach exposes customer names on google

In what appears to be a major breach of customer privacy, eBay is exposing customers’ real first and last names, as well as the items they’ve purchased, publicly on Google.  While the idea that your real name is exposed in a product review you left for a benign product like clothing or books is disturbing enough, Google is also displaying eBay customer names for sensitive purchases such as medical diagnostic tests – including pregnancy, drug, and HIV home testing kits. A reader who provided EcommerceBytes with the news tip told us, “As both an eBay seller as well as being a buyer who has left product reviews for item that I have purchased on eBay, this new revelation is very disturbing to me. Furthermore what really scared me is the fact that with very little effort on my part I was able to match the reviewers actual name with their anonymous eBay user ID, by opening both the eBay product page and the Google Shopping product page in separate windows and placing them side by side.” For every search we conducted, from cookbooks to medical test kits, all of the reviews on Google Shopping Product Pages that were provided by eBay.com displayed actual customer names and the date they left the review, while reviews from other online retailers, such as Target.com and Walmart.com displayed user IDs. It’s not likely that someone who purchased a medical diagnostic test on eBay name would be thrilled that their review might be read by family members, partners or employers. One buyer was clearly concerned about the privacy of his purchase, noting in his review of a test kit he’d purchased on eBay that he was pleased it had come in discrete packaging.  It appears there is a flaw in the feed eBay provides to Google, and this not the first time that eBay has been accused of compromising users’ privacy. In 2014, NYU researchers discovered that they could aggregate eBay buyers’ purchases, and characterized it as a security breach – and that was when they had only the user names, not the actual names of buyers.

As part of the 2014 study, the researchers conducted a survey to gauge buyer expectations around privacy on the marketplace, they found nearly 39% preferred to make a sensitive or private purchase on eBay, “noting that they believed the site was a more discrete vendor than a physical store.” “Additionally, 38 percent of those surveyed believed that their purchase histories were visible to no one except them,” the NYU researchers wrote.  We can’t overstate how troubling this breach of privacy is, and of all the developments that have caused users to be concerned about privacy over the years, this tops the list right next to eBay’s massive data breach of 2014 when it forced 145 million users to change their passwords.  We reached out to eBay and Google prior to publishing, a Google spokesperson said he would look into the matter. eBay as not yet responded.  [Source: eCommerceBytes]

Seven Romanian nationals plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy and ATM skimming

Seven Romanian nationals pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with an ATM skimming scheme operating throughout Massachusetts and other states including Connecticut, New York and South Carolina.  Constantin Denis Hornea, 23; Maria Lazar, 19; Ludemis Hornea, 20; Claudiu Florea, 25; Denisa Bonculescu, 27; and Anamaria Margel, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly known as RICO conspiracy, and conspiracy to use counterfeit access devices. Constantin Hornea, Lazar, and Ludemis Hornea also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and money laundering conspiracy; Constantin and Ludemis Hornea also pleaded guilty to possession of device making equipment; and Florea also pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy. Ion Trifu, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use counterfeit access devices and money laundering conspiracy.  U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for March 15, 2018. In May 2017, the defendants were indicted along with five others whose whereabouts remain unknown.

The defendants, except for Trifu, were members of the Hornea Crew (“Crew”), led by Constantin Denis Hornea and Ludemis Hornea, and engaged in ATM skimming – obtaining debit card numbers and PINs from unsuspecting bank customers, creating counterfeit cards, and making unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts. Over a period of 18 months, the Crew installed skimming devices and made unauthorized withdrawals in seven states, including Massachusetts.  In particular, members of the Crew installed skimming devices in the following locations: Amherst, Bellingham, Billerica, Braintree, Chicopee, Quincy, Southwick, Waltham, Weymouth, and Whately, Mass.; Enfield, Conn.; Columbia, Greenville, Greenwood, Mauldin, and Saluda, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Yadkinville, N.C.  The Crew made unauthorized withdrawals at ATMs in approximately 29 Massachusetts towns; seven Connecticut towns; six New York towns; Salem, N.H.; and Sumter, S.C. Members of the Hornea Crew and Trifu transferred money throughout the United States and to Romania and the People’s Republic of China.  Some of those transfers were for the purchase of skimming devices and related components from abroad. [Source: Department of Justice]

Woman cited after child attempts retail larceny

A woman in North Carolina, was cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and neglect Friday night after police say a 13-year-old girl attempted to steal from Walmart. Police cited Tamika Danielle Squire, 35, of Morganton, after arriving at Walmart on Morganton Heights Boulevard and reviewing security footage of the crime, according to an arrest report. The store’s loss prevention officer told Morganton Department of Public Safety Officer J.T. Dale that the girl removed barcodes from pieces of felt and put them on other items, the report said. Squire was not seen switching barcodes but was cited because of the girl’s actions. Dale told Squire that the arrest report would be sent to the Department of Juvenile Justice, which may petition the girl, the report said. The store’s loss prevention officer told MDPS that Squire previously admitted to knowing what the girl was doing. Squire said she made a mistake and was struggling to raise five other kids, according to the report. Dale told Squire he would complete a grand jury packet if video evidence showed she knew what the girl was doing, the report said. The items involved in the attempted larceny were not included in the report.   [Source: The News-Herald]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: December 15, 2017 appeared first on LPM.

Shoplifter: Making a list and checking it twice?

A Monroe, Louisiana, man accused of shoplifting multiple bottles of liquor at Target is facing additional charges after he reportedly threatened police. According to an arrest affidavit for Eric Daniel, 26, officers dispatched to Target were told that asset protection associates saw Daniel taking items from the alcoholic beverage aisle while an additional suspect walked the aisle ends watching for workers.  Daniel and the other suspect reportedly selected several bottles of Hennessy and Crown Royal which appeared to be selected from a list Daniel was reading from.  Per the report, the pair then traveled to the cosmetics aisle and took three Chi items before walking through the checkout area and past all points of sale to leave the store. An employee attempted to stop the suspect as he left, but both suspects entered a vehicle and sped away in a Chrysler van.

Officers later located the van and saw the suspect leaving the home in the same clothes identified in Target security footage. Daniel was advised he was under arrest and refused to comply with officer commands, the report states.  While enroute to jail, he reportedly told officers why police were being killed and that all police were going to die.  Per the report, officers saw multiple online posts from Daniel stating he had Crown Royal and Hennessy to sell. Daniel was booked into OCC on charges of organized retail theft, felony shoplifting, public intimidation and resisting an officer.  [Source: The NewsStar]

Study shows merchandise returns account for $351 billion

Appriss Retail, who provide retail performance improvement solutions, today released its 2017 Consumer Returns in the Retail Industry report, which analyzes results from the National Retail Federation’s 2017 Organized Retail Crime survey to provide insights for retailers to minimize the effect of return fraud and abuse on their business. According to the survey, total merchandise returns account for more than $351 billion in lost sales for U.S. retailers. This size is overwhelming; merchandise returns are close to the estimated 2017 federal budget deficit of $400+ billion. Retail fraud and abuse accounted for $17.6 to $22.8 billion in the United States. And return fraud averages 9.4% of all Buy-Online-Return-In-Store (BORIS) ecommerce returns. “It is critical to understand how returns and return fraud reduce net sales and contribute to total loss – clear causes of retail performance issues,” said Krishnan Sastry, president of Appriss Retail. “The results within this report offer the industry’s best view of the subject of merchandise returns, as well as potential fraud and abuse.”

For a complete copy of the report, please go to the Appriss website by clicking here.  The extreme loss of profit is causing retailers to offset the negative business impact by raising prices and reducing costs, which often means a loss of jobs. Last year alone, return fraud cost U.S. retailers and workers between 596,000 and 775,000 jobs. And the cost to each state is steep also. Retail revenue losses are costing states a total of $1.1 billion to $1.4 billion in lost sales taxes. Preventing fraud and abuse is a major challenge, but retailers are also looking to improve the shopping experience and differentiate the consumer experience during the return process. The ability to offer e-commerce consumers more flexible and lenient returns, while still mitigating the risk of fraud and abuse is critical.   [Source: Business Insider]

Triple murder suspect fugitive caught while allegedly shoplifting

A triple murder fugitive wanted after escaping a north Mississippi jail last month has been captured in Houston, Texas, again. Deputies caught up to him at a Walmart in Spring.

 Harris County Sheriff’s Office District 1 Patrol Deputy N. Gonzalez was called to the Walmart in the 3400 block of FM 1960 W, where loss prevention officers held two men suspected of shoplifting.

 Neither man had ID, but fingerprints proved one of the suspects was Antoine Adams, 28. Deputies quickly learned Adams was wanted for three murders and a felony escape charge. He was also listed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Top 10 Most Wanted fugitives.Adams escaped from the Marshall County, Mississippi, detention facility on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, after being held there on murder charges in Mississippi, and two separate murder charges in Memphis, Tennessee.

 This isn’t the first time Adams has been caught in Houston.

 He was arrested as a fugitive on a murder warrant for those murders in July.

 Adams is currently being held in the Harris County jail, awaiting extradition back to Marshall County.  [Source: ABC13 Eyewitness News]

Winter holiday season cargo theft trends

Holidays pose significant theft risks to the supply chain, as enterprising thieves seek to exploit extended business closing hours and an increase in unattended freight. CargoNet examined recorded incidents of cargo theft and trucking vehicle theft from December 23 to January 2 for 2012 through 2016. The 2012 and 2016 holiday seasons were the most active in this analysis, each with 51 theft events. The 2016 holiday season had more events in January (11 events) compared with 2012 (7 events). There were 199 total theft events in this analysis period; 132 involved cargo theft, and 149 involved vehicle theft. Note that vehicles and cargo are frequently stolen together. For vehicles, CargoNet logged 79 stolen tractors, 104 stolen trailers, and 24 chassis/intermodal containers. In total, $10,625,339 in cargo was stolen in this analysis period, and the average loss value per incident equaled $136,222. However, the total cost of a cargo theft is often much higher when considering the value of any vehicles stolen, replacement costs for the cargo, the cost of the claims process, and more.
It can be difficult to obtain an exact day of loss in these thefts. The cargo or vehicles are often left unattended for multiple days, and there may be no clues to discern the exact day the theft occurred.

In this analysis, 57 percent of theft events had an exact day of loss. Thefts were most common on December 24, with December 27 and 31 and January 1 tied for second place. Texas had the most theft events, with 38 reported in the state in this analysis period. Thefts were also common in California (31 thefts), Georgia (25 thefts), Florida (16 thefts), and New Jersey (16 thefts). Food and beverage was the most common category of cargo stolen. In this category, thieves targeted meat products, nonalcoholic beverages, and mixed freight. Apparel and accessories along with electronics losses tied for second place. In these commodity categories, thieves targeted footwear shipments and televisions. Computer and computer accessories were also targeted electronics items. Apparel and accessories shipments were the costliest on average; each loss had an average loss value of $451,537. Theft events were most common at parking lots such as those at retail big-box stores; however, theft events were also high at truck stops and warehouse locations. Click here to view the complete winter holiday cargo theft infographic and security tips.

Noteworthy thefts from previous winter holiday weeks:

• $3,000,000 in computer accessories from Dinuba, CA
• $1,000,000 in footwear from Edison, NJ
• $1,000,000 in high-end apparel from Newark, NJ
• $599,559 in footwear from Long Beach, CA
• $417,000 in footwear from Portland, OR   [Source: American Journal of Transportation]

UPS employee delivers package containing iPhone X, goes back to steal it

A UPS employee delivered an iPhone, then went back to the home to steal the package on Thursday. “I never would have thought it would happen in my neighborhood or to me on my front porch,” said the victim, who didn’t want to be identified. According to the arrest affidavit, Jason Mohn, 47, of St. Petersburg, delivered the victim’s Apple iPhone X package to her front porch. Mohn then allegedly returned two hours later and took the package, hiding it under his shirt and running away. “I got a motion detection on the front porch notification on my phone and it was around 8 o’clock on my phone and I’m like, ‘no one is supposed to be there.’ I asked my sister to look up the video for who delivered the package and she almost dropped my phone when she saw it was the same guy, in the same clothes, except the UPS vest,” said the victim.

Both the delivery and the theft were caught on two home security cameras that were on the victim’s front porch. “Apparently the guy that stole the phone wrote in his notes that he hand delivered it and handed it to me but that never happened. I really feel bad for the guy. He just messed up his life over a stupid iPhone,” said the victim. The iPhone was found the next day by a UPS investigator inside Mohn’s work area, next to his belongings. He faces a charge of grand theft, a felony. Deputies returned the iPhone to the victim.  [Source: NewsChannel8]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: December 18, 2017 appeared first on LPM.

A credit card skimmer is a device by which thieves and fraudsters steal credit card information. Often, these theft events will occur in the retail setting, but there are other ways by which the devices can be used to steal information from card owners for criminal purposes. Unfortunately, all it requires is a little illicit technology and a lot of criminal intent.

A credit card skimmer is a small device that can scan and store credit card data from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. Credit card skimmers can be installed on a gas pump, on ATMs, or on other card-reading devices. Sometimes, corrupt employees can have a credit card skimmer on their person, out of sight of customers but easily accessible to the dishonest employee.

Once the card is run through the skimmer, the data is recorded. The information can be used for identity theft by the fraudster or sold through a contact or online, at which point counterfeit cards can be made using the stolen card information. Criminals can then go on shopping sprees with a cloned copy of the credit or debit card—often with fraudulent names to further avoid detection—and cardholders are unaware of the fraud until a statement arrives with purchases they did not make.

A credit card skimmer is a device by which thieves and fraudsters steal credit card information. Often, these theft events will occur in the retail setting, but there are other ways by which the devices can be used to steal information from card owners for criminal purposes. Unfortunately, all it requires is a little illicit technology and a lot of criminal intent. A credit card skimmer is a small device that can scan and store credit card data from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. Credit card skimmers can be installed on a gas pump, on ATMs, or on other card-reading devices. Sometimes, corrupt employees can have a credit card skimmer on their person, out of sight of customers but easily accessible to the dishonest employee. Once the card is run through the skimmer, the data is recorded. The information can be used for identity theft by the fraudster or sold through a contact or online, at which point counterfeit cards can be made using the stolen card information. Criminals can then go on shopping sprees with a cloned copy of the credit or debit card—often with fraudulent names to further avoid detection—and cardholders are unaware of the fraud until a statement arrives with purchases they did not make. [text_ad]

How a Credit Card Skimmer Device is Used

Credit card skimmers have been around for years, but the different devices are growing more sophisticated with evolving technology. A credit card skimmer can come in different shapes and sizes. Most operate as a portable capture device that is attached in front of or on top of the legitimate scanner, passively recording the card data as the credit card is inserted into the legitimate scanner. However, mobile credit card readers can also be used to independently capture information, or even with the use of a smartphone. This is a common way that employees capture and exploit card information in the traditional retail setting. A typical credit card skimmer fits over the existing card reader at a gas pump, ATM, or other convenient self-service point-of-sale terminals. At gas stations, devices may be installed inside the pump casing and out of sight of the customer. When a credit card is swiped through the card reader, the skimmer will record the account data from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. Sometimes thieves will even place a hidden camera in the vicinity of the card reader with a view of the number pad in order to record personal identification numbers. The camera may be in the card reader, mounted at the top of the ATM, or to the side of the device hidden in brochure cases or other inconspicuous places. Some criminals may even install a fake PIN pad over the actual keyboard to capture the PIN directly, bypassing the need for a camera. Some of the more common places where credit card skimming might occur include:

• Gas Stations: Gas stations are a favorite target for thieves who use skimmers because there are multiple credit card devices sitting outdoors, none of which have an associate directly monitoring their use.
• ATMs: Popular for the same reasons as illicit use at a gas station, thieves can leave a skimmer on a card reader collect your information.
• Retail Stores: While most employees are honest, hardworking people, we must remain aware of those with dishonest intentions. Portable skimmers can quickly be used to gather information in a matter of seconds, often out of sight of the actual cardholder but occasionally right at the terminal, depending on the illicit skill of the dishonest employee.
• Restaurants/Bars: Similar to incidents in retail stores, these thefts can occur by using a small, mobile card reader. Most customers never think twice about leaving cards unprotected in the hands of an employee at the restaurant or bar, but be beware of the possibilities.

Ten Tips for Avoiding Credit Card Skimmer Incidents

Following are ten tips to follow to help avoid becoming the victim of a credit card skimming operation. While these incidents can happen to anyone, remaining aware and following a few common sense rules can help avoid many situations. Inspect the card reader, PIN pad, and the surrounding area. Check for obvious signs of tampering at the top of the ATM, gas pump, or other card reading device. Check near the speakers, the side of the screen, the card reader itself, and the keyboard. If something looks different, such as a different color or material, graphics that aren't aligned correctly, or anything else that doesn't look right, it might be a skimmer. Compare nearby gas pumps, ATMs, or other card reading devices to see if they match. If there are any obvious differences, it might be a skimmer. For example, if one has a flashing card entry to show where you should insert the card and the other has a plain reader slot, something may be wrong. Wiggle everything. Does anything move when you push or pull at it? Legitimate devices are solidly constructed and generally don’t have any loose parts. See if the keyboard is securely attached and just one piece. Try to avoid situations where your card leaves your sight if you can help it. Store transactions should generally occur in your presence. While this may be more difficult in a restaurant setting, try to remain aware of the service provider, where they take your card, and for how long. Check Security Tape. Many gas/service stations use security tape on the device to verify that no one has entered or compromised the device. If the security tape has been broken or if the security tape isn’t consistent on all devices, there may be reason for concern. Avoid Using Your PIN at the Gas Pump. When you pay at the pump, you usually have the option to use it as a credit or debit card. It's best to choose the credit option that allows you to avoid entering your PIN. When you use it as a credit card you usually only have to enter your billing ZIP code as verification which is much safer. It's also generally safer to use a credit card versus a debit card, because it's easier to stop payment or cancel a payment than it is when money's already taken out of the account. Typically, the most you'd have to pay for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50, and if your funds are stolen, you won't have to wait to recover your losses with an empty account. Read Your Surroundings. Criminals are more likely to install a credit card skimmer in locations where they are less likely to be observed installing malicious hardware or collecting the harvested data. Readers located in poorly lit or more remote areas (for example gas pumps outside of easy view of employees) are more likely to be targeted. What Day is It? The chances of getting hit by a skimmer, especially those used on ATMs, are higher on the weekend than during the week, since it's harder for customers to report the suspicious activity. Criminals typically install skimmers on the weekend, and then remove them before business offices reopen on Monday. Keep an Eye on Your Accounts. If you suspect that you might have had your card skimmed. Keep an eye on your account balance and report any suspicious activity immediately. Consider monitoring your checking account transactions daily on your bank's website. You can also request "card not present transaction" notification. If someone tries to use your credit or debit card number online, you'll be notified immediately. Use Chip Technology When Possible. Rather than swiping the card, as you would for a card with a magnetic stripe, insert the card into a terminal slot during a transaction and then remove it once the transaction is complete. EMV cards provide a higher level of security. Unlike the magnetic stripe on a card, which contains data that remains the same, EMV cards change with each transaction and are basically impossible to predict. This article was originally published in 2016 and was updated January 23, 2018.

How a Credit Card Skimmer Device is Used

Credit card skimmers have been around for years, but the different devices are growing more sophisticated with evolving technology. A credit card skimmer can come in different shapes and sizes. Most operate as a portable capture device that is attached in front of or on top of the legitimate scanner, passively recording the card data as the credit card is inserted into the legitimate scanner. However, mobile credit card readers can also be used to independently capture information, or even with the use of a smartphone. This is a common way that employees capture and exploit card information in the traditional retail setting.

A typical credit card skimmer fits over the existing card reader at a gas pump, ATM, or other convenient self-service point-of-sale terminals. At gas stations, devices may be installed inside the pump casing and out of sight of the customer.

When a credit card is swiped through the card reader, the skimmer will record the account data from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. Sometimes thieves will even place a hidden camera in the vicinity of the card reader with a view of the number pad in order to record personal identification numbers.

The camera may be in the card reader, mounted at the top of the ATM, or to the side of the device hidden in brochure cases or other inconspicuous places. Some criminals may even install a fake PIN pad over the actual keyboard to capture the PIN directly, bypassing the need for a camera.

Some of the more common places where credit card skimming might occur include:

• Gas Stations: Gas stations are a favorite target for thieves who use skimmers because there are multiple credit card devices sitting outdoors, none of which have an associate directly monitoring their use.
• ATMs: Popular for the same reasons as illicit use at a gas station, thieves can leave a skimmer on a card reader collect your information.
• Retail Stores: While most employees are honest, hardworking people, we must remain aware of those with dishonest intentions. Portable skimmers can quickly be used to gather information in a matter of seconds, often out of sight of the actual cardholder but occasionally right at the terminal, depending on the illicit skill of the dishonest employee.
• Restaurants/Bars: Similar to incidents in retail stores, these thefts can occur by using a small, mobile card reader. Most customers never think twice about leaving cards unprotected in the hands of an employee at the restaurant or bar, but be beware of the possibilities.

Ten Tips for Avoiding Credit Card Skimmer Incidents

Following are ten tips to follow to help avoid becoming the victim of a credit card skimming operation. While these incidents can happen to anyone, remaining aware and following a few common sense rules can help avoid many situations.

Inspect the card reader, PIN pad, and the surrounding area. Check for obvious signs of tampering at the top of the ATM, gas pump, or other card reading device. Check near the speakers, the side of the screen, the card reader itself, and the keyboard. If something looks different, such as a different color or material, graphics that aren’t aligned correctly, or anything else that doesn’t look right, it might be a skimmer.

Compare nearby gas pumps, ATMs, or other card reading devices to see if they match. If there are any obvious differences, it might be a skimmer. For example, if one has a flashing card entry to show where you should insert the card and the other has a plain reader slot, something may be wrong.

Wiggle everything. Does anything move when you push or pull at it? Legitimate devices are solidly constructed and generally don’t have any loose parts. See if the keyboard is securely attached and just one piece.

Try to avoid situations where your card leaves your sight if you can help it. Store transactions should generally occur in your presence. While this may be more difficult in a restaurant setting, try to remain aware of the service provider, where they take your card, and for how long.

Check Security Tape. Many gas/service stations use security tape on the device to verify that no one has entered or compromised the device. If the security tape has been broken or if the security tape isn’t consistent on all devices, there may be reason for concern.

Avoid Using Your PIN at the Gas Pump. When you pay at the pump, you usually have the option to use it as a credit or debit card. It’s best to choose the credit option that allows you to avoid entering your PIN. When you use it as a credit card you usually only have to enter your billing ZIP code as verification which is much safer. It’s also generally safer to use a credit card versus a debit card, because it’s easier to stop payment or cancel a payment than it is when money’s already taken out of the account. Typically, the most you’d have to pay for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50, and if your funds are stolen, you won’t have to wait to recover your losses with an empty account.

Read Your Surroundings. Criminals are more likely to install a credit card skimmer in locations where they are less likely to be observed installing malicious hardware or collecting the harvested data. Readers located in poorly lit or more remote areas (for example gas pumps outside of easy view of employees) are more likely to be targeted.

What Day is It? The chances of getting hit by a skimmer, especially those used on ATMs, are higher on the weekend than during the week, since it’s harder for customers to report the suspicious activity. Criminals typically install skimmers on the weekend, and then remove them before business offices reopen on Monday.

Keep an Eye on Your Accounts. If you suspect that you might have had your card skimmed. Keep an eye on your account balance and report any suspicious activity immediately. Consider monitoring your checking account transactions daily on your bank’s website. You can also request “card not present transaction” notification. If someone tries to use your credit or debit card number online, you’ll be notified immediately.

Use Chip Technology When Possible. Rather than swiping the card, as you would for a card with a magnetic stripe, insert the card into a terminal slot during a transaction and then remove it once the transaction is complete. EMV cards provide a higher level of security. Unlike the magnetic stripe on a card, which contains data that remains the same, EMV cards change with each transaction and are basically impossible to predict.

This article was originally published in 2016 and was updated January 23, 2018.

The post Fundamentals of Credit Card Skimmer Fraud appeared first on LPM.

Female shoplifter threatened LP associates with knife

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two female suspects who allegedly stole items from Target at Ala Moana Center in Hawaii and threatened a loss prevention associate with a pocket-knife. Just after 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 28, the two suspects entered the retail store, selected some items and left the establishment without paying for the merchandise. Police said the LP associate stopped the suspects outside of the store when one of the perpetrators brandished a pocket knife and threatened to stab the victim. Both suspects then fled. Anyone with information is asked to call police or CrimeStoppers.   [Source: Star Advertiser]

Employee accused of $8,400 theft

A former worker at the KFC restaurant in New York was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing an estimated $8,400 from the eatery while working there, police said. Tanya S. White, 43, of Schenectady, was arrested after an investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office after restaurant administration noticed an apparent theft, officials said. Police determined that White was taking orders from customers but not entering them into the restaurant’s cash register between last April and last month, resulting in felony counts of grand larceny and falsifying business records, according to the Sheriff’s Office. White was arraigned in Queensbury Town Court and released on her own recognizance. Sheriff’s Patrol Officer Jesse Pound and Investigator Doug David investigated the case. [Source: The Post Star]

Credit card scam believed to be key to 3 murders

Three Dec. 28 murders in D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland, are believed to be connected, with the connection being a credit card scam they were involved in, police said in court documents. One man, 23-year-old Ashton Briscoe of Northeast, faces a charge of first-degree murder while armed in the murder of Kerrice Lewis, 23, of Hyattsville, Maryland. Lewis’ body was found in the trunk of a burning car in a Southeast alley to the rear of Adrian Street. Court documents filed in Superior Court in D.C. say she had been shot 15 times before she was burned. The credit card scam is believed to be what led to her death; however, the documents do not elaborate on the type of scam allegedly being run. Police said in the affidavit to arrest Briscoe that they had been told “Dennis (Travon) Whitaker and Ms. Lewis were beefing, because Dennis Whitaker believed Ms. Lewis had set him up and got him shot at.” In the 10-page affidavit, police outlined the links connecting Briscoe, Whitaker and Malique Lewis, 20, with Kerrice Lewis, whose body was found at 7:21 p.m. Dec. 28, and the bodies of her two friends, Ronzay Green, 23, and  Armani Coles, 27. Police found Green, who had been shot, at 11:20 a.m. Dec. 28 on the parking lot of a 7-Eleven in Northeast.  [Source: WTOP News]

Three employees fired, restaurant closes to ‘regroup’ after video alleges racial profiling [Viral Video]

Three employees have been fired and a restaurant closed down after a Missouri woman posted a video on Facebook that she says demonstrates the racial profiling that black people in America deal with. The video is a recording of her and her friend’s encounter with a police officer, a mall security guard and a manager at the Applebee’s restaurant at Independence Mall on Saturday. “This is what black people have to deal with if you want to know,” one of the women says. The women were eating dinner there when two officers approached them about an incident that had happened the day before, in which two women, apparently resembling them left without paying for their food. However, the women say the server’s description of the dine-and-dashing women was vague, with few details other than skin color and body size. “We have not been here!” Asia Hardy repeatedly exclaims to one officer. In a statement released Monday evening, Applebee’s said the restaurant’s manager, a server, and another employee involved in the incident have been fired after an internal investigation. The franchise also said the Independence Center location is now temporarily closed “in order for the team there to regroup, reflect, learn and grow from this.” Applebee’s said they are reaching out to apologize to the two women. [Source: Fox4KC News]

More Secret Service resources needed to combat credit card skimming

In the wake of a rash of local credit card “skimming” episodes, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is asking the Secret Service to provide more resources to confront the crimes. “In Livingston County alone over the past seven weeks more than 20 separate cases of credit card fraud were reported that officials believe is the result of skimmers recently uncovered at area gas stations,” Schumer wrote in a letter to Secret Service Director Randolph Alles. ” It is vital that we address this form of fraud that victimizes hundreds of New Yorkers and creates fear in thousands more.” Credit card “skimmers” have become more common methods for pilfering credit card numbers. The skimmer is a clandestine device designed to steal credit card information by “skimming” the magnetic strips on cards swiped at ATMs or gas stations. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also reported several skimming incidents in late 2017. Schumer is urging the Secret Service to increase the number of agents and resources to counter skimming crimes. He also is recommending enhanced collaboration with local law enforcement. [Source: Democrat & Chronicle]

Amazon laying off ‘hundreds’ of corporate employees

Amazon is laying off employees, mostly in its consumer retail business, numbering in the “several hundreds,” two people familiar with the matter told The Seattle Times. Layoffs are expected to hit the corporate headquarters, as well as elsewhere in its global operations. In an emailed statement to RetailDIVE, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the company is “making headcount adjustments across the company… small reductions in a couple of places and aggressive hiring in many others. For affected employees, we work to find roles in the areas where we are hiring.” As of Monday, the spokesperson said Amazon has 3,900 jobs open in Seattle and 12,000 jobs open worldwide in its corporate operations, and it will continue to grow. “As you have reported, over the past five months, we have secured at least 1 million square feet in the city … a sign we will keep hiring here,” the spokesperson said, adding that the space would allow the company to hire an additional 5,000 people. [Source: RetailDIVE]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: February 14, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Chicago man accused of stealing more than $20K of lingerie

A 40-year-old Chicago man was charged with running a continuing criminal enterprise after police arrested him Feb. 15. Police said he is accused in the theft of about $3,500 worth of merchandise from the Victoria’s Secret store in the Harlem Irving Plaza, and police also tied him to six previous thefts of items totaling more than $20,000 from the same store. Ivan Hernandez, of the 4400 block of Cortez Street, was arrested by Norridge police after a short chase, according to police. He was charged with criminal enterprise, as well as aggravated resisting arrest after an officer was injured during the arrest, said Norridge Detective Sgt. Brian Loughran. Bond was set at $75,000 for Hernandez, who as of Monday morning remained in custody. He is scheduled to appear at the Rolling Meadows courthouse on March 9. The criminal enterprise charge is based on a series of felony violations in concert with other people, police said. On Feb. 16, Norridge police, acting on information obtained from Hernandez, received a search warrant and discovered stolen property, which had been taken from the Norridge Victoria’s Secret store, at a store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago, Loughran said.

Police recovered roughly $3,500 worth of Victoria Secret’s merchandise from the store, Loughran said. Also, Juan Balbontin, 28, of the 3000 block of New England Avenue in Chicago, was charged with possession of stolen property, Loughran said. Balbontin was issued a $25,000 I-Bond, Loughran said, and he is scheduled to appear in court March 9. In seeking the criminal enterprise charge, police connected Hernandez through surveillance with six previous thefts at the Victoria Secret’s Store, in the mall at 4132 N. Harlem Ave., before his arrest, Loughran said. The thefts occurred on Jan. 31, Feb. 4 (two times), Feb. 5, Feb. 6 and Feb. 10, Loughran said. He mostly focused on women’s panties, Loughran said. Police asked store personnel to be on the lookout for Hernandez, instructing them to call 911 and contact mall security if he made another appearance, Loughran said. In the most recent theft, a store employee spotted him and contacted mall security, who in turn contacted Norridge police, Loughran said. Responding officers chased Hernandez, capturing him behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken on the 3900 block of North Harlem Avenue, Loughran said. [Source: Chicago Tribune]

Woman accused of threatening store LP associate

A Hartford, Connecticut,  woman accused of shoplifting has been arrested on robbery charges after she threatened to use a needle to harm a store loss prevention associate, police said. The woman, Tammy Osga, 50, was charged Feb. 24 with second-degree robbery and sixth-degree larceny. According to a police report, officers were called to the Big Y store at 234 Tolland Turnpike on a report of a shoplifting incident that turned into a fight. Osga was detained in the store’s loss prevention office, police said. Store loss prevention associates told police Osga loaded cases of energy drinks, chips, and apples into a shopping cart, then walked out of the store through the floral department without paying for the items. When an LP associate confronted Osga, she attempted to push past him and he restrained her, police said. The associate said Osga told him, “Stay away, I have a needle.” Store LP staff said Osga was escorted to the loss prevention office while she attempted to dig through her purse for the needle, police said. Osga gave police her maiden name and told them she didn’t have a needle. She threatened the associate “in hopes of getting away because she did not want to go back to jail,” police said. Osga is held at York Correctional Institute in lieu of $15,000 bond on the robbery charge and $10,000 on the failure to appear charge. She is to appear in Superior Court on March 16.
[Source: Journal Inquirer]

Three men arrested in connection with credit card skimming ring

Three men are behind bars after Wilmington Police in North Carolina received information from Myrtle Beach that a credit card skimming ring was operating out of the Port City. Police stopped a vehicle around 1:30 p.m. Monday and found more than $9,000 in cash, credit cards, pin numbers, debit card skimming devices and pin-hole cameras in the vehicle. The men arrested are 21-year-old Ricardo David Abdel, 22-year-old Diego Pablo Arostegui, and 31-year-old Walter Enrique Correa Cisneros. The men are from the Miami, Florida area. All three have been charged with false pretense, credit card fraud and identity theft. All three men are in the New Hanover County Jail each under a $200,000 bond. Authorities believe the ring was operating across multiple states. The Secret Service is also involved. [Source: WWAY3 News]

Police officer resigns after allegedly shoplifting ‘AirPods’ from Apple Store

An New Orleans Police Officer resigned after allegedly shoplifting from the Lakeside Mall Apple Store while in uniform. According to The New Orleans Advocate, Officer Ayona McGilberry was picking up her phone from the Apple Store when she asked about some “AirPods” wireless headphones, which retail for about $160. McGillberry told the sales associate that she wouldn’t purchase them before allegedly walking out of the store with them while the staff watched. Staff contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, which then contacted NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau (PIB). McGillberry was issued a summons by PIB and then resigned from her position, according to NOPD. She was given a misdemeanor theft court summons. McGillberry joined the NOPD in July of 2016.  [Source: WWL4 News]

Three nabbed after $1.3K shoplifting incident at pharmacy

A trio was busted attempting to steal more than $1,000 worth of over-the-counter medication from a Westport, Connecticut, CVS, police said. Officers from the Westport Police Department were dispatched to CVS on Feb. 27, officials announced over the weekend, when there was a report of several suspects who had shoplifted the medications and fled the store. According to police, an officer who was nearby followed the only vehicle that was in the area, which was occupied by four men. The officer was able to stop the car on Riverside Avenue, where the occupants were found in possession of more than 90 pain and cold medications with a value of more than $1,300 inside the car. The driver was identified as Queens resident Kingdom Utin, and his passengers were Uniondale resident Jalen Gonzales, Jamaica resident Sterling Jones and a juvenile, whose name was not released by police. They were later positively identified as the suspects who shoplifted from the CVS location. Gonzales and Jones were charged with fourth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny. Utin was charged with conspiracy to commit larceny. Each was held on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Justice Court on Wednesday to answer the charges. The juvenile was issued a summons to appear in court and released on his own recognizance. [Source: Norwalk Daily Voice]

Employee processed $1.4K in fraudulent returns

A worker at the Belk store in Pecanland Mall is facing charges of felony theft after she allegedly processed over $1.4K in fraudulent returns.  According to an arrest report for Rebecca Ford, 23, Wilson Drive, Monroe Police were dispatched to Belk on Friday to speak with a loss prevention associate. The associate said Ford falsely returned various children’s clothing articles between Jan. 12 and March 2 and placed a total of $1482.03 in refunds on gift cards. Ford kept the gift cards for her personal use, according to the report.  Officers said Ford provided a written statement admitting to the theft. She was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on Friday.  Bail was set at $2,500, and the suspect bonded out Saturday morning. [Source: The NewsStar]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: March 7, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Shoplifting suspect dies after chase, wrecks

A shoplifting suspect has died after a wreck following a chase by a South Carolina sheriff’s deputy. Highway Patrol Cpl. Bill Rhyne told news outlets the wreck happened around noon Monday on Interstate 20 in Richland County. Investigators say the front-seat passenger in a pickup truck that ran from a sheriff’s deputy died after the driver crashed into a fence, sending one of the fence posts through the windshield. Rhyne said the man was taken to a hospital where he died. His name wasn’t immediately released. The pickup driver, Calvin Garrett Liabastre, has been charged with felony driving under the influence involving death. It was not known if he has an attorney. The chase came after employees at a home improvement store saw the suspects trying to steal. [Source: Fox News]

Loss prevention supervisor charged with theft

A woman has been charged with stealing more than $55,000 from the Groton, Connecticut store where she oversaw loss prevention. The Norwich Bulletin reports that 37-year-old Janise Gabco-Bowles is charged with theft from the Kohl’s in Groton where she worked as a loss prevention supervisor. Police say she made fraudulent returns and received cash in exchange for items she had never purchased. Investigators say surveillance video of the returns was missing and someone in the loss prevention office likely disabled the system. Gabco-Bowles was fired from the store in December and arrested in January. She is separately charged with shoplifting from grocery store on Christmas Eve. [Source: Bristol Herald Courier]

Suspects smash car through doors of store, take off with merchandise

Police are searching for a group of suspects who smashed a car into the front of Saks Fifth Avenue, then took off with as much merchandise as they could carry. The broken gates and wooden boards mark the spot where police say the group of robbers smashed a car into the Saks at the Fashion Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana. “After 3 a.m. a rental car from out of state was driven through the east doors of the Saks,” said IMPD North District Commander Josh Barker. At least six people then ran into the store, wearing hoods to cover their faces. Police say each one grabbed as much merchandise as they could carry. A security guard who heard the car smash through the glass ran over to stop them. “The suspects were alerted to his presence which interrupted the theft and they fled pretty quickly. One of the suspects tackled the security guard,” said Commander Barker. Police say the thieves had so much stuff they dropped several items on their way out.

The group then took off in other cars waiting in the parking lot including a red SUV and a white car. Police believe this group may be connected to other similar retail thefts. “It is not uncommon for there to be a somewhat organized retail theft ring that operates in a multi-state area not just multi-jurisdictional,” said Commander Barker. In just the past year, IMPD reports show they have responded to the Fashion Mall around 100 times for a range of theft, robbery, burglary, and larceny cases. Over at Castleton Square Mall, also a Simon Property, IMPD reports they have responded to triple that amount. One of those cases was back in February when suspects smashed jewelry cases and took off with more than $100,000 in merchandise. As for how much these thieves stole… “They are still going through the inventory to do a count of what they have and what is missing and they will provide us a total for the loss,” said Commander Barker. If you have information on this smash and grab case, call IMPD or Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.  [Source: CBS4Indy]

Cops think they rehearsed this burglary caught on tape; Have you seen these suspects? [Viral Video]

Sheriff’s deputies in Pierce County, Washington, want help identifying a man and woman believed to be involved in the theft of a $1,900 gaming system from a Walmart. The man is suspected of placing a computer gaming system and monitor in a shopping cart and then pushing the cart out of the store shortly before midnight on Feb. 21, according to a post on the Sheriff’s department’s Facebook page. Surveillance cameras captured video of the man and woman entering the Mountain Highway store and then the man leaving minutes later with a cart full of loot. The man loaded the stolen merchandise into a maroon SUV driven by the woman, police said. The man, wearing a black coat and Chicago Bulls cap, can then be seen entered the store again before fleeing the scene in the SUV. “She takes off and (the) suspect walks back in the store, empty-handed, probably trying to determine if anybody’s coming after him, or not, or to run interference,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Ed Troyer told Q13-TV. “These are definitely (people who have) rehearsed this and (are) out committing retail theft. We want to get them caught before more people become victims.” Those with information about the suspects are asked to call 800-222-8477.  [Source: The News Tribune]

Man sent to prison for using credit card ‘skimmers’

Juan Quintero Garcia served 5½ months in a Tennessee jail in 2016 for illegally using credit card “skimming” devices at gas stations.What did Garcia do after his release? Reconnect with his old accomplice, drive to Chesapeake and start doing it all over again. Garcia, 31, of Miami, was sentenced Monday in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, to four years and four months in prison. His 28-year-old accomplice, Omar Machado Blanco of Miami, was sentenced earlier this month to four years and nine months. Chesapeake police started investigating in March 2017 after receiving more complaints than usual about unauthorized credit card use, according to court documents. Police said surveillance videos and citizen tips helped detectives tie the trend to skimming devices installed at gas stations by Garcia and Blanco. When placed on a gas pump or other credit card terminal, such devices capture the card numbers of unsuspecting shoppers. Both men were arrested April 21. When Blanco was taken into custody, court documents say, police found a skimming device holding about a dozen account numbers, along with multiple cards whose magnetic stripes had been re-coded with stolen account information. Blanco also had “two small keys capable of unlocking gas pumps at 7-11 gas stations throughout Chesapeake,” the documents say. Investigators identified 43 victims who suffered a combined loss of $7,105.70, the documents say.

Garcia and Blanco pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court to aggravated identity theft. Garcia also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of credit card making equipment and Blanco pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Young argued for both men to receive sentences of 4½ years, and he noted how quickly Garcia returned to crime after his release from jail. Blanco was never charged in Tennessee, but court documents say Garcia told authorities the two had both installed skimmers in that state. Garcia’s Virginia lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Amanda Conner, said he was an immigrant who fled Cuba in 2005, shortly before his 18th birthday, and was granted lawful permanent resident status. She said a federal conviction could lead to his deportation, even though the Cuban government had notified him he could face the death penalty upon his return because he didn’t serve in the military. “The fear of returning to this oppressive regime weighs heavily on his mind and is a motivating factor for him to put any and all criminal involvement behind him,” Conner wrote, asking for a sentence of two years and three months. U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson said Garcia and Blanco, who had a longer criminal record, deserved similar sentences for their apparent “tour of the East Coast doing crimes.”  “You surely knew what you were doing was wrong,” the judge told Garcia.  [Source: The Virginian-Pilot]

Retail fraud suspect arraigned after chase from retailer

Green Oak Township police arrested a 23-year-old Detroit woman they said led officers on a chase that started at a Kohl’s store parking lot and ended with a crash on on M-14 near Plymouth. The suspect, Lamika Samon James, was arraigned on felony charges of fleeing and eluding, organized retail crime and retail fraud, Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt said in an email Monday. Each charge has a maximum five-year sentence. She was also arraigned on misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and providing false identification to a police officer. Police responded to a report of a retail fraud in progress around 2:44 p.m. Thursday, according to a press release from Green Oak Township police. Prior to their arrival, officers were informed the suspect was fleeing in a gray Chevrolet Impala. Officers saw the vehicle exit the parking lot and head north on Whitmore Lake Road and then southbound on U.S. 23. The vehicle continued eastbound M-14 until crashing just west of Interstate 275 near Sheldon Road, according to the release. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The suspect was treated for what police said were minor injuries at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia before going to Livingston County Jail. The press release said the suspect had been in the store “removing security devices from numerous high end electronics and placing them into a bag.” Police said the woman told arresting officers she was a 16-year-old juvenile. Her mother, who arrived at the hospital where the woman was treated after the crash, also told police she was a juvenile, the release said. Police say the suspect is a 23-year-old and also is a Michigan Department of Corrections parole absconder who has been sought since December 2017. Bond was set at $10,000. [Source: Livingston Daily]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: March 28, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Man who planted gas pump skimmers gets 9 years in federal prison

A Florida man was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in federal prison for planting credit card skimming devices inside gas pumps in Madison, Wisconsin, that were used to steal credit card numbers from unsuspecting customers. U.S. District Judge William Conley said he didn’t impose the sentence on Alejandro Arias-Perez lightly, but said he felt compelled to hand down the sentence to send a message to others about the seriousness of “rampant credit card fraud that occurs, and you being at the leading edge of it.” “What is sadly apparent from the record is how capable you are and how greatly misdirected your skills have been,” Conley said. “You said you did this to support your family, but you did this at the expense of an awful lot of people.” In all, federal authorities said, Arias-Perez, 29, of Miami, had gathered about 50,000 stolen credit card numbers from which he created cards that were used to methodically make fraudulent purchases at stores in a number of states of items that were eventually sold for cash. In November, Arias-Perez pleaded guilty to possession of a credit card skimming device that was placed at a Shell gas station. A second count, for placing a skimmer at a BP station was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Under advisory federal sentencing guidelines, because of the scope of the thefts and Arias-Perez’s role as leader of an enterprise of more than five people, he could have received a sentence between 12½ and 15½ years. Conley said that range seems high for a white-collar crime, but given the need to send a message about credit card fraud, “it doesn’t strike me as an outrageous range.”  [Source: Wisconsin State Journal]

Man allegedly hits retailer for $86,000 in refund fraud since 2012

Analytic reporting identified a Gilbert, Arizona, man who reportedly stole nearly $86,000 worth of items from Home Depot. Chandler Police report that from February 2012 to February 2018, Antoine Elkik, 57, made nearly $86,000 by stealing goods from Home Depot stores in Maricopa County. Police say Elkik would legitimately purchase products, put them in his car, then immediately go back to the store with his receipt and select the same products and exit the store. If he were questioned, he would show the sales associate the receipt from the prior purchase. He would later, reportedly, return the stolen products to the store for a refund. Police say he purchased 402 items since 2012, returning all of them for refunds. Home Depot Organized Crime Investigators said, “Antoine was identified through analytical reporting in which he was showing a high amount of refunds.” He was arrested on March 27 and has been charged with 30 counts of retail theft.  [Source: NBC2 News]

Smugglers used aerial drones to sneak $80 million in iPhones into China

Chinese authorities have arrested 26 people who were part of an iPhone smuggling operation between Hong Kong and the mainland city of Shenzhen. The criminals used aerial drones to connect two 660-foot cables between two high-rise buildings, and then passed as many as 15,000 iPhones per night across the border. According to Reuters, the state-owned Legal Daily reports that it was the latest escalation in smuggling operations that have been going on for years. “It’s the first case found in China that drones were being used in cross-border smuggling crimes,” customs officials said. The arrests were made in February as part of a joint anti-smuggling effort between authorities in the two cities. It’s unclear from the reports exactly which drones were used, but Drone Life speculates that at least one was a modified DJI Phantom 4, judging from the images released by Chinese media. Ironically, the drone may even have been manufactured in Shenzhen, which is a Chinese tech hub and home to a DJI plant. Once the cable was attached between the buildings, the smugglers sent individual packages of 10 iPhones across. Working in the dead of night, they were able to pass as many as 15,000 phones per night across the border. Over a six-month period, that added up to 500 million yuan ($79.8 million) in refurbished iPhones.

Although the majority of iPhone manufacturing is done in China, taxes and fees make it prohibitively expensive to own one, and there’s a thriving black market for smugglers. An iPhone that costs $1,000 in the U.S. may run upwards of $3,000 in China. One woman was recently caught at the Chinese border with more than a hundred phones and 75 luxury watches strapped to her body. Other enterprising criminals have used Twinkie boxes, coffee tins, and toothpaste containers.    [Source: Digital Trends]

More than 1,000 people avoid jail time, record through Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion Program

A recent program in Florida that helps people committing minor offenses avoid jail time is working by cutting costs at the jail, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. In 2017, Pinellas County avoided booking more than 1,700 people into the county jail through their Adult Pre-Arrested Diversion Program, or APAD, which launched in 2016. More than 30 percent of the people admitted to the program were charged with retail theft. As a result, offenders admitted into APAD do not face jail time. Instead, they complete community service or pay fines. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s office said in a letter released earlier this year that the program is working by cutting major costs of taking these offenders to jail. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri also says it creates consequences for breaking the law. Some stores say they will continue to turn offenders into police no matter what. Lesley McDaid, co-owner of One Amazing Find in Tarpon Springs, recently captured a woman on security camera stealing more than $140 of high-end chalk paint. “It’s infuriating to thing that somebody can just so quickly think that they can come into our home, which is what I consider my store, pick up whatever they feel like and walk out the door,” McDaid said. Frustrated, she posted the security camera footage on her store’s Facebook page asking for the public’s help in identifying her. The video got thousands of shares. Eventually, someone identified the thief and police were able to contact her. Tarpon Springs Police said that woman was referred to the APAD program.   [Source: ABC Action News]

Restaurant’s web site leaks millions of customer records

Panera Bread’s web site for the American chain of bakery-cafe fast casual restaurants by the same name, leaked millions of customer records including names, email and physical addresses, birthdays and the last four digits of the customer’s credit card number, for at least eight months before it was yanked offline earlier Wednesday, KrebsOnSecurity is reporting. The data available in plain text from Panera’s site appeared to include records for any customer who has signed up for an account to order food online via panerabread.com. The St. Louis-based company, which has more than 2,100 retail locations in the United States and Canada, allows customers to order food online for pickup in stores or for delivery. KrebsOnSecurity learned about the breach after being contacted by security researcher Dylan Houlihan, who said he initially notified Panera about customer data leaking from its web site back on August 2, 2017. Fast forward to early this afternoon, exactly eight months to the day after Houlihan first reported the problem, and data shared by Houlihan indicated the site was still leaking customer records in plain text. Worse still, the records could be indexed and crawled by automated tools with very little effort.  [Source: KrebsOnSecurity]

Locking shopping carts to prevent thefts

IN Oregon, local Fred Meyer stores are rolling out a new device to hopefully keep shoplifters from leaving with merchandise. At the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer, the grocery carts now have locking devices on the wheels. The system is designed to prevent shoplifters from loading up a cart and then heading out the doors without paying. How it works is customers go through a checkout lane where there’s a deactivator for the locking device, including at self checkout. After paying, it’ll deactivate the carts from locking, so customers can easily leave the store, according to Tabitha Shelton, the assistant manager at Fred Meyer. “It does help prevent loss in our stores, definitely,” Shelton said. “We would have certain incidents where things go out the door, so now we can be more aware of it and it sets off a camera, so our loss prevention associates can look at it and determine why it did go off.”  The locking devices also help alleviate the store loss prevention team’s job as it’s tough for them to detain someone inside the store suspected of shoplifting when the thief could say they were planning to pay. There are some technical bugs they’re working out with the carts. Some people paid, but their carts still locked as they tried to leave. However, loss prevention does have a quick-release device to help them get on their way. “It does need to be right in front of the sensor for about 30 seconds — normally the time it takes to unload a shopping cart,” Shelton said. The carts have signs on them explaining how the locking devices work — and customers seem to like it. “I support that idea. I think you should be able to protect your business,” customer Tom Fiora said. Fred Meyer said it has 7 stores in the Portland area with locking devices on the carts and more on the way.   [Source: KOIN6 CBS News]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: April 5, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Suspect who operated multi-state credit card skimming operation arrested

A former Orlando-area mobile phone store owner is accused of running multi-state credit card scam that the FBI began investigating after an employee of a Mentor gas station found a skimming device at one of their pumps. Silvio Leon — who served prison time for a similar scheme in Florida — is charged with conspiring to commit access device fraud. He is jailed awaiting his detention hearing in Ohio on Thursday in U.S. District Court. North Olmsted police arrested Leon and the another man after FBI agents tracked their phones from New Jersey through Pennsylvania and back to Ohio, where they had rented a room at the Aloft hotel in North Olmsted, near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The other man has not yet been charged.

The investigation began Feb. 27 after an employee of the BP gas station on Heisley Road in Mentor found the skimming device, according to court records. Mentor police took the device and found it stored about 1,000 people’s credit card information and names, according to court records. Several people reported charges they didn’t make on their bank cards and Mentor police noticed all of them bought gas at the same gas station, according to court filings. All of the fake charges were made at Sam’s Clubs stores in Mentor, Oakwood and Sheffield Village.

FBI agents found that the person who used that particular Sam’s Club Membership card, later identified as Leon, had made more than $120,000 in purchases at the Mentor store alone, according to court records. Investigators also found the same membership card bought items with stolen credit card information elsewhere in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Minnesota. FBI agents looked at surveillance footage from the most recent use of the membership card, compared it to photos in police databases and found a match with Leon. A Florida-based parole confirmed Leon’s identity.

The FBI tracked Leon’s movements after obtaining his cellphone number from a rental car company at the Pittsburgh International Airport. They traced his movements through New Jersey to North Olmsted and found they were stopping at or near several Walmarts or Sam’s Clubs on their four-day trip to Ohio, according to court records. In one case, a North Fayette police officer reported to the FBI the men stopped at a Walmart in that town and bought $400 worth of items with someone’s stolen credit card information, court records say.   [Source: Cleveland.com]

Department store burglarized at closing time

A Simi Valley, California, department store was burglarized Sunday evening, just as the business was due to close, police said. The incident was reported just before 9:35 p.m. at Kohl’s in the 2900 block of Tapo Canyon Road. The store’s loss prevention associate reported to police that four men had entered the store around 9 p.m., the location’s closing time, through an unlocked door. The men allegedly took an unknown amount of athletic merchandise before fleeing the scene. Officials said a silver or gold midsized vehicle may have been involved. Simi Valley police advised anyone with information regarding the incident to contact 805.583.6950.   [Source: VC Star]

Employee charged with stealing more than $4,000 in merchandise

Police said surveillance footage from a Speedway gas station lead to the arrest of a recently fired employee, who is accused of stealing more than $4,000 in items from the store. Police were alerted to a potential burglary at the gas station in the 10000 block of U.S.1 just after 3 a.m. Tuesday. The business’ alarm company notified the store’s representative a man entered the store at 2:59 a.m. and took items, including lottery tickets and cigars. Police said the man in the surveillance footage appeared to have used a key to enter the business. A store representative told police the only person that had access to the store was Janivan Holland, 19, who recently had been fired, but had not returned his keys.

When police searched Holland’s home, they said a backpack seen in the surveillance footage and containing the items reported stolen was discovered in the teen’s room. Holland, of Port St. Lucie, was accused of stealing $3,389 in lottery tickets, $419.93 in electronic cigarette starter kits, 60 cigars valued at $50.09 and 31 lighters valued at $62. In total, the items stolen were valued at $4,159.02. Police charged Holland with burglary of an unoccupied structure and grand theft of more than $300 but less than $5,000. He was held at the St. Lucie County Jail on a $7,000 bond and released Wednesday. [Source: TCPalm]

Two wanted for allegedly stealing 28 pairs of jeans

Two men are wanted for stealing multiple pairs of Levi’s jeans valued at about $2,000, according to Laredo, Texas, police. Authorities said the case unfolded May 28 at a store located in the 5300 block of San Dario Avenue. The store’s loss prevention personnel told LPD that they saw two men exiting the store with 28 pairs of jeans. One suspect was described as a young man who was wearing a maroon T-shirt while the second suspect was a thin male wearing a white short-sleeved button shirt with a baseball cap, police said. The merchandise stolen was valued at $1,946, authorities said. To provide information on their identities, call police at 795.2800, Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to 847411 and type keyword: Laredo. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.   [Source: LMT Online]

Struggling Fitbit now has 5 ex-employees who face criminal charges

A federal grand jury has returned a criminal indictment against one current and five former Fitbit employees, accusing them of taking trade secrets from their former employer, Jawbone, to their new jobs at Fitbit. Jawbone went out of business as of July 2017 and is currently undergoing liquidation proceedings. The two fitness gadget companies were previously staunch competitors and had sued one another multiple times. On its own, Fitbit has its own problems, too. The company’s stock price has collapsed since its $32.50 per share debut on the New York Stock Exchange roughly three years ago. Today, Fitbit stock trades at around $7.42 per share. Fitbit has lost more than $380 million from 2016 through 2017, wiping out its two earlier profitable years. Its number of devices sold has plummeted from 22.2 million in 2016 to 15.3 million in 2017.

This is not the company’s first brush with federal authorities. In February 2017, Jawbone said in a California state court filing that Fitbit was facing a criminal probe into its behavior. At the time, Fitbit denied any wrongdoing. “After a full examination of the issues and Fitbit’s resounding victories at the [United States International Trade Commission], coupled with Jawbone’s complete failure in the marketplace and reported insolvency, Jawbone is now attempting to exert leverage against Fitbit in civil litigation pending in the California state court,” Fitbit said in a February 2017 statement sent to Fortune. “Fitbit is cooperating with the US Attorney’s Office to demonstrate, once again, that these allegations are without merit.”

The named defendants include six former and current Fitbit employees: Katherine Mogal, 52, of San Francisco; Ana Rosario, 33, of Pacifica; Patrick Narron, 41, of Boulder Creek; Patricio Romano, 37, of Calabasas; Rong Zhang, 45, of El Cerrito; and Jing Qi Weiden, 39, of San Jose. Mogal faces six counts, while Weiden only faces one—the others range between two and five counts. It was not immediately clear which of these six is the current Fitbit employee. According to their LinkedIn profiles, Rosario and Narron left the company years ago.

Authorities say each had worked for Jawbone for at least a year between May 2011 and April 2015 and allegedly violated their confidentiality agreement. While working for Jawbone, they were seemingly recruited to work for Fitbit, and, prosecutors claim, took trade secrets along. “Intellectual property is the heart of innovation and economic development in Silicon Valley,” said Acting US Attorney Alex Tse in a statement. “The theft of trade secrets violates federal law, stifles innovation, and injures the rightful owners of that intellectual property. This office, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights and economic security of this district.” The defendants are scheduled to make their first appearance in court on July 9, 2018, at 1:30 pm before US Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi in San Jose.     [Source: ars Technica]

‘A nation of second chances’: Former convict is now a lawyer

One of Washington’s newest attorneys is a former convict. Seattle University Law School graduate Tarra Simmons was sworn in as a lawyer Saturday, seven months after the state Supreme Court ruled that she could take the bar exam despite her past, KING-TV reported. “I hope that this sends a message to people that you are never defined by your worst mistakes,” she said at her swearing-in.

Simmons was convicted of assault in 2001 and of organized retail theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and drug possession in 2011, following a battle with addiction. In all, she has served more than three years in prison, and she went through two bankruptcies and the foreclosure of her home. But a lot of lawyers helped her along the way, she said, and that helped inspire her to attend law school.

The Washington State Bar Association’s character and fitness board nevertheless recommended against her being allowed to practice law, saying she had failed to demonstrate that she would exercise good judgment and conduct herself with a high degree of degree of honesty and integrity. The state Supreme Court unanimously disagreed with that decision. The justices credited Simmons with being open about her past, showing remorse, seeking treatment and serving as an outspoken advocate for legal aid. “This day is the finale of a really long and hard journey that started when I was in prison,” she said. “When I was at my lowest moment, I never thought that it would be this amazing.” Simmons hopes to work with those re-entering society after their prison terms. “We are a nation of second chances and a state of second chances, and we need more of that and less barriers and less hate,” she said.     [Source: HeraldNet]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: June 19, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Pair accused of beating loss prevention associate

A simple shoplifting case turned into a robbery when police say one of the suspects started assaulting a loss prevention associate. It happened June 4 at the JCPenney at 1450 Polaris Parkway in Columbus, Ohio. Police say a man and woman were observed shoplifting. When a loss prevention associate confronted the pair, the man threw the officer to the ground and beat her in the face and head. Police said the pair then picked up the stolen items and left in a light blue SUV.

The first suspect is described as a black male in his late 20s standing between 6’ and 6’2” and weighing between 150 and 160 pounds. The second suspect is described as a black female in her late 20s standing around 5’7” and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Beard at 614.645.2091.   [Source: NBC4i News]

Suspect caught on video threatening employee with gun [Viral Video]

Texas authorities are asking for your help in finding a man who pointed a gun at an employee during a theft at the Home Depot in Sugar Land.

 Police were called to the store on June 25 around 11:45 a.m. Employees told police that a man had left the store with power tools and pointed a gun at the cashier.

 While pointing the gun at the cashier, the suspect told her to remain quiet, investigators said.

Police believe the suspect is also responsible for a similar crime at another Home Depot in Houston hours earlier.

 The suspect is described as a white male, about 5’8″ tall and 140 pounds. He was wearing a long-sleeve blue colored shirt and light-colored jean shorts.

 Police believe he left the store in a black Dodge Durango. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sugar Land Police Department at 281.275.2540.   [Source: ABC13 Eyewitness News]

Suspect arrested in theft of smartphones

Police have taken into custody a suspect in the theft of three Smartphones from a Denham Springs business in Louisiana, according to a police spokesman. Shawn Vezinat, 34, was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on felony theft, misdemeanor theft, possession of marijuana (under 14 grams) and criminal trespass. Bond was set at $11,500. On May 7, a man entered an AT&T store in Denham Springs, took three display smartphones and left in a black Infiniti G37. Denham Springs detectives released security phones of a man entering the store last week in an effort to identify a suspect.   [Source: Livingston Parish News]

Two arrested after impersonating an officer during theft

Sahuarita police officers arrested a man and woman involved in a shoplifting incident at a Walmart in Sahuarita, Arizona, in which the man impersonated an officer. Police say 35-year-old Darrick Thomas used a Walmart phone application to upload receipts for items he did not purchase before entering the store at 18680 S. Nogales Hwy. Thomas entered, gathered the items on the receipts, and left without paying, a news release said. Thomas returned with the items wearing a Arizona Department of Corrections uniform in an attempt to receive a refund. He was arrested along with 33-year-old Tiffany Weilburg in a parking lot south of the Walmart on Monday night. Detectives determined Weilburg acquired the uniform used by Thomas in the shoplifting. The pair was arrested on charges for impersonating a peace officer, organized retail theft, shoplifting and criminal trespassing, the news release said.   [Source: Tucson.com]

Attempted robbery leads to drug bust

An attempted robbery at a Troy, Michigan, Sak’s Fifth Avenue Thursday led a to drug bust in the parking lot. Troy police say a 43-year-old Ohio woman and 51-year-old Ohio man entered the store and attempted to steal $690 worth of items before being stopped by loss prevention. While Stacy Latasha Lattimore complied with loss prevention associates, Gerald Thomas Grooms did not and walked away. Grooms was later apprehended by responding officers. Police found a set of cars keys on the suspect that belonged to a tan 2008 Buick in the parking lot.

Officers searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag in the center console with 17 smaller bags containing what was believed to be heroin. The substance was wrapped in lottery tickets. Police also found $880 worth of stolen merchandise from the store that Lattimore tried to hide. Lattimore also had wire cutters used to remove anti-theft sensors from merchandise. According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, Lattimore was charged with first degree retail fraud and Thomas on second degree retail fraud. No word on charges for the heroin. Lattimore was given a $75,000 bond and Grooms was given $30,000 bond.   [Source: WXYZ Detroit News]

State senate approves anti-credit card skimming bill

The Pennsylvania Senate last week unanimously approved House Bill 1918 — legislation that will reduce fraud by criminalizing the use of credit card skimming devices. The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill of York County, now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature. Specifically, HB 1918 would criminalize the use of a scanning or skimming device, the use of a re-encoder, and the possession or sale of a skimming device — along with imposing stiff penalties. Currently, prosecutors can only levy theft charges against such crimes.

“We strongly urge Gov. Wolf to sign this important piece of legislation that will protect consumers and benefit thousands of Pennsylvania businesses by creating a strong deterrent for identity thieves,” PFMA President and CEO Alex Baloga said. Baloga said this is an issue that retailers and the legislature and governor’s office have been working on for some time to try to combat credit card skimming. “Our goal is to protect consumers,” Baloga said. “We are doing everything we can to combat credit card skimming. It’s a long-standing fight and we have several partners. We will continue to do all we can to increase awareness. This legislation is a step in the right direction.”

Hard-to-detect credit card skimming devices are used to copy identifying information of credit cards at gas pumps, cash machines and other common points of payment. Nationwide, credit card fraud costs retailers $580.5 million in losses and $6.47 billion in prevention costs annually.The new crime would be graded as a third-degree felony for a first offense and a second or subsequent offense would be a second-degree felony. If signed into law, Pennsylvania would join 30 other states with similar laws on the books. The bill would take effect 60 days following the governor’s signature.“There is definitely more awareness today,” Baloga said. “Law enforcement, retailers, government agencies and the media are all telling consumers what to watch for. It’s been a group effort.”   [Source: Times Leader]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: June 29, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Shoplifting suspect who died in crash after fleeing police identified

A shoplifting suspect who was fleeing from police died in a crash on Gap Road Thursday morning, according to Knoxville (KPD), in Tennessee. Two KPD officers were on their way to a crash on I-640 between Gap Road and Western Avenue when officers learned a shoplifting suspect, identified as 26-year-old Benjamin Richey from Knoxville, had fled from a Pilot store on Western Avenue. According to the police department, a description of Richey’s Honda Civic and license plate number were relayed to officers and when they got near the I-640 crash scene, they saw him going east on I-640 so they tried to pull him over.

The suspect reportedly fled so officers did not pursue them and continued to the crash scene. The officers said they saw the suspect exit onto Gap Road and head south. When Knoxville Police arrived on scene of the first crash, the 911 Center got a call reporting another serious crash on Gap Road near Leflore Avenue. When officers arrived there, they found two vehicles that had hit head-on. Police said one vehicle was the suspect involved in the shoplifting at Pilot. The suspect, who was also the driver, was pronounced dead on the scene. The female passenger in the suspect’s vehicle was taken to UT Medical Center for treatment for non-life threatening injuries. Police said they later learned the Honda Civic they were in was reported stolen Wednesday.

Nathaniel Howard, who was driving the second vehicle, reportedly ran from the crash scene but was found later. He was wanted on Federal gun charges and police said he was trying avoid being arrested. Howard was driving a 2018 Dodge Charger. Officers said Howard and a female passenger were also taken to UT Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Once Howard is released, KPD said he will be turned over to Federal authorities. A preliminary investigation shows the Civic was traveling South on Gap Road when the driver crossed the yellow line and struck the Dodge, heading northbound, head-on.   [Source: WBIR10 News]

Fraudster sentenced to 32 months for credit card scheme

A Florida man was sentenced Thursday to 32 months in prison for conspiracy to commit credit card fraud and aggravated identify theft, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank said in a news release. U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torreson also ordered Jose Castillo Febles of Doral, Florida, to undergo three years of supervised release. Febles, 31, also must pay more than $25,000 in restitution.

Febles used stolen credit card and debit card numbers to purchase merchandise between November 2015 and June 2016, court records show. Febles traveled to Maine in May 2016 and purchased $500 of merchandise from a Portland Walgreens using a credit card stolen from an Auburn victim, Frank said. Febles pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 25, 2017.   [Source: The Press-Herald]

Restaurant employee jailed for theft

A Paris, Texas, woman is accused of stealing over $10,000 from a Denny’s. Police say Ryan Elizabeth Bowman was arrested Thursday on a warrant for felony theft. Investigators say the 35-year-old stole over $13,000 from the Denny’s on the loop in Paris when she worked there. The manager of that location declined to comment and police won’t say how Bowman got the money.    [Source: KXII12 News]

Former ICE attorney sentenced to 4 years for stealing immigrants’ identities

A former attorney for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing the identities of immigrants facing deportation. Raphael A. Sanchez, 44, is the former chief counsel for ICE’s Office of Principal Legal Advisor in Seattle, according to the Department of Justice. Prosecutors say he used ICE databases and computers to commit his crimes.

Sanchez pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to a statement from DOJ. Sanchez was also ordered to pay over $190,000 in restitution — the amount prosecutors say he stole using fraudulent credit card accounts he opened. “Raphael Sanchez was entrusted with overseeing the honest enforcement of our country’s immigration laws,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Cronan in a statement. “Instead, Sanchez abused that trust, and capitalized on his position at ICE to exploit his victims and line his own pockets.”

DOJ said Sanchez admitted to intentionally defrauding aliens in various stages of immigration removal proceedings. Sanchez used their identities to open lines of credit and personal loans. He also manipulated credit bureau files, transferred funds to himself and made purchases in using credit cards obtained in the names of his victims. Sanchez admitted that he obtained the information using ICE’s computer database, and used his work computer to forge Social Security cards and Washington state driver’s licenses, according to DOJ.

The Associated Press reported that Sanchez told court officials prior to his sentencing that he struggled with money troubles, depression, fatigue and a failed relationship before launching into his scheme. “It became a perfect storm that did not allow me to see the hurtfulness and wrongfulness of my actions,” he said, according to the AP. “I pretended I needed no one and thought material things would bring me happiness, even if temporarily. I created an intricate, beautiful, yet soul-less house of cards that suddenly came crashing down.” He apologized for his crimes in court Thursday and told the judge he’s relieved to be in custody: “The stress is gone,” he said.   [Source: USA Today]

Newly revealed Exactis data leak bigger than Equifax’s

What happens when you leave a database filled with personal information open to the Internet? People find it: That’s what happened to marketing data firm Exactis with its database of information on roughly 340 million people. Security researcher Vinnie Troia of Night Lion Security discovered the database through a Shodan search. Exactis is a marketing data company that provides companies with the sort of information needed to target ads to people browsing the Web. Troia told Wired, “It seems like this is a database with pretty much every US citizen in it,” adding, “I don’t know where the data is coming from, but it’s one of the most comprehensive collections I’ve ever seen.”

While the data did not include credit card or social security numbers, it did include everything from political preferences to browsing and purchase data for a wide variety of items. Taken together, the pieces of information would allow an advertiser or database user to form a very detailed picture of the targeted individual. “The data reported to have been leaked is incredibly comprehensive and can be used by hackers to develop more targeted phishing scams,” said John “Lex” Robinson, cybersecurity strategist at Cofense. “Phishing is a serious threat because it works, with personalized phish often making their way past stacks of expensive technology layers and email gateways to land in an unsuspecting user’s inbox.” In terms of size, the Exactis leak dwarfs the Equifax breach, which exposed nearly 146 million records. Exactis has now taken the database off the public Internet, but has made no public statement on the affair. At the time of this article’s publication, the company’s website was down, with a request returning a 508 error.   [Source: Dark Reading]

Massive ORC theft reported at mall

Tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise that was stolen from various businesses at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia, has been returned, police say. The Arlington County Police Department’s Property Crimes Units returned a portion of more than $80,000 worth of merchandise stolen from the mall stemming from an investigation that began in 2015 and has resulted in a suspect pleading guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and grand larceny with intent to sell, according to a tweet by ACPD Friday. “Organized retail crime has a major financial impact on businesses and consumers,” police added in a follow-up tweet. “ACPD is committed to investigating these crimes and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.”   [Source: Arlington Patch]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: July 2, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Duo admit to stealing more than $40,000 using credit card skimmers

Two Florida residents, who prosecutors said used electronic devices to illegally skim credit card numbers from gas stations through Virginia and North Carolina for eight months, were sentenced on federal charges Monday. Yunior Manuel Torres-Blanco, 25, of Hialeah, Fla., was sentenced earlier this week to 42 months (3.5 years) in prison.  Ynaisel Garcia, 22, also of Hialeah, was sentenced to 36 months (3 years) in prison. They both pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated identity theft and one count of credit card fraud. Garcia also pleaded guilty to four counts filed in North Carolina, conspiracy to commit access device fraud and three counts of access device fraud.

“These defendants stole the identities of hard-working Virginians and caused tens of thousands of dollars in financial loss,” United States Attorney Thomas Cullen stated. “I am grateful for the hard work of the Roanoke County Police Department and the Secret Service in bringing them to justice.” Investigators determined that between December 2016 to August 2017, the two suspects placed credit card skimmers on various gas pumps throughout Virginia and North Carolina, capturing the credit card information of customers purchasing gas. As part of the scheme, Torres-Blanco and Garcia were able to get the stolen credit card information from the skimmers, create new cards using the stolen numbers, and used them to buy gift cards, services, and merchandise. In August 2017, a Roanoke County detective recognized a vehicle with Florida plates traveling in Botetourt County as one similar to a vehicle suspected of being involved in a gas pump credit card skimming scheme. It was determined that the two suspects were inside.

When approached by police for a traffic stop, Garcia tried to elude officers and Torres-Blanco threw items, later identified as gift cards, from the window. Once they stopped the vehicle and were able to search it, investigators found two credit card skimmers, a laptop, 68 unopened gift cards, 86 credit cards, 83 of which had been recoded with stolen credit card information, a new 55-inch television, and a new 65-inch television. In all, Torres-Blanco and Garcia obtained more than $40,000 in merchandise, gift cards and services.   [Source: WEARTV3 ABC News]

Couple that fled after shoplifting spotted by off-duty cop

A couple that sped away from Home Depot on Monday morning with unpaid merchandise were later spotted by an off-duty officer and taken into custody. According to police, Home Depot security spotted Kevin Kelly, 34, who had been identified as a shoplifter previously, pick up three DeWalt drills and head for the exit. When he saw security, he allegedly said he forgot something and turned around. However, the report said, he left via another exit, getting into a waiting tan Buick LeSabre.

An on-duty officer heard the car’s description and spotted the car getting onto Interstate 95 southbound, and followed. He pulled in front of the car and activated the lights and told them to move into the breakdown lane. They did, and the officer pulled over. He spotted an infant in a car seat in the back seat. As the officer began to get out of his cruiser, the Buick took off, driving down the breakdown lane, police said. Because of the heavy rain, traffic and the infant in the car, the officer did not engage in a pursuit.

State Police spotted the car near Exit 19, and an off-duty Fairfield officer, who had a radio in his car, saw the car pull into a nearby parking lot. Kelly and the driver, Tracy Hollister, 33, were both taken into custody. The 16-month-old child was turned over to a grandparent and the state Department of Children and Families was notified. On the backseat of the car were the three drills, worth $1,097.

Kelly, of Bassett Road in Branford, was charged with fourth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny and risk of injury to a minor. He was held in lieu of $1,000 bond and processed for failure to appear warrant out of Branford, which carried a $2,500 bond. Kelly is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Bridgeport on Aug. 22. Hollister, who lives on Wilderwood Road in Guilford, was charged with interfering with an officer, risk of injury to a minor and conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny. She was released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport on Aug. 22 as well.   [Source: Chron]

Pink Floyd goes after Alibaba to stop the sale of Chinese counterfeit goods

Pink Floyd is asking a judge to help them put a stop to the sale of counterfeit memorabilia from Chinese manufacturers on the Internet and they want websites like Alibaba, Facebook and Google to help them out. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the legendary band claims a number of unknown companies have been selling counterfeit goods online, claiming the companies go “to great lengths to conceal both their identities and the full scope and interworking of their illegal counterfeiting operation. The band claims the companies use sites like iOffer and Aliexpress and claim they design their listings “so that they appear to unknowing consumers to be authorized online retailers, outlet stores, or wholesalers selling genuine PINK FLOYD products.”

Pink Floyd claims they have not given any of these companies permission to use their trademark and none of them are authorized retailers of their goods. They also claim these companies have incorporated “search engine optimization (SEO) tactics and social media spamming” so their products appear prominently when fans search for Pink Floyd memorabilia. Pink Floyd is seeking an injunction to stop the sale of the counterfeit goods and they want all the counterfeit websites transferred over to them.

The band also wants a judge to issue an injunction against iOffer and Alibaba — as well as Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, Bing and Yahoo — to stop them from providing any services for the offending sites. Pink Floyd is asking for all the profits made by the companies selling the counterfeit goods or $2,000,000 for each and every use of their trademark. A judge has yet to rule.  [Source: The Blast]

Employee charged with embezzlement

A Wilburton, Oklahoma, man is facing five years imprisonment after being caught ringing up overstock products as returns and keeping the money, court documents state. Roy Edward Harrelson Jr., 45, of Wilburton, was charged July 30 with felony embezzlement, according to court documents filed by the office of District 16 District Attorney Jeffrey Smith. Documents show Harrelson is out of the Latimer County Jail after posting a $500 bond.

According to a probable cause affidavit prepared by Wilburton Police Assistant Chief John Ford, Ford was dispatched July 25 to an auto parts store in Wilburton and met with a man that said he was a loss prevention associate who discovered that the store manager – identified as Harrelson – had been embezzling money.

The loss prevention associate told Ford that Harrelson confessed to him that he had embezzled $1,053.31 in cash from the store, the affidavit states. Ford wrote in his report he went into a room, where Harrelson agreed to speak to the officer after being read his Miranda warning. [Source: McAlester News-Capital]

Robbery, burglary, retail thefts lead to 5- to 10-year sentence

In connection with a dozen separate cases that included a grocery store robbery, a burglary, thefts at various Pennsylvania retail establishments and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a local man will be serving penitentiary time. Kenneth James Haskey Jr., 31, who had several addresses in the Washington area before he was incarcerated, pleaded guilty to a single count from each of the 12 cases Tuesday in Washington County Court. Assistant District Attorney John Friedmann, as part of a negotiated plea, requested Judge Valarie Costanzo sentence Haskey to 5 to 10 years in prison followed by a decade of probation.
“Are you accepting responsibility?” the judge asked Haskey, who replied, “Yes, I am.”

Costanzo also ordered Haskey to have no contact with any of his victims and pay more than $4,000 in restitution. Haskey’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Jake Mihalov, noted the county jail would compute Haskey’s time served. The robbery at the Interstate Foodland store in Canton Township occurred Jan. 16, 2017, when state police alleged a man they later identified as Haskey through fingerprints requested change and pulled a knife when a 16-year-old cashier opened a register drawer.

In South Strabane Township, police said businesses targeted in April and March for retail thefts included Lowe’s home store, Strabane Square, and Kay’s Jewelers and Jared Vault, Tanger Outlets, where they accused Haskey of grabbing a diamond ring and watch while clerks were showing him merchandise. State police took Haskey into custody after the unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported in April.

According to online court records, Haskey also entered a guilty plea last month in Allegheny County Court to retail theft and driving while his operating privilege was suspended or revoked. Castle Shannon Police Chief Kenneth Truver said the charge was filed in connection with the March 26 theft of a carton of cigarettes from a Sunoco station on Library Road. Haskey was sentenced to 5 to 10 days and fined $200.   [Source: Observer-Reporter]

Retailer wrestles again with inventory, and loses

JCPenney on Thursday reported that second quarter net sales fell 7.5%year over year to $2.8 billion while comparable store sales ticked slightly positive at 0.3%, according to a press release. The company said the top-line sales decline was primarily due to the 141 stores that closed in fiscal 2017.

The department store retailer’s net loss widened in Q2 to $101 million, more than double last year’s Q2 loss. Shares of JCPenny fell 22% in premarket trading as the company’s comps fell below analyst estimates (the FactSet consensus was 1%) and its losses were worse than analysts expected, according to MarketWatch. Executives also reduced their earnings guidance for the year, now expecting flat comps and a loss of up to $1 per share.

Penney said in Q2 that its children’s, jewelry, Sephora, women’s apparel and salon sales were the retailer’s strongest performing categories. Women’s apparel, which has been a point of pain for Penney in past periods, showed positive comps in Q2 and felt “a beneficial impact” from the retailer’s attempts to reposition itself in the category..   [Source: RetailDIVE]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: August 17, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Shoplifter pulls knife after being chased

An accused would-be shoplifter elevated his crime to robbery when he pulled a knife on Walmart loss prevention associates trying to stop him, according to police allegations. Brandon Gallen Floyd got away before state troopers arrived, according to charging documents… but not before dropping his cellphone at the scene and leaving fingerprints behind, state police said. Floyd, 30, of Owings Mills, Maryland, is now a wanted fugitive. Police have obtained an arrest warrant for him, according to charging documents. Once he’s captured he will be charged with robbery, attempted retail theft and two counts of simple assault, court records state.

According to charging documents, troopers were called to the Walmart in Shrewsbury Township about 3:10 a.m. May 8 for a reported robbery. The suspect had fled before troopers arrived, but documents indicate he left behind enough forensic evidence for investigators to positively identify him. State police allege Floyd filled a shopping cart with merchandise then tried to leave Walmart through a rear door without paying. But he set off an alarm when he opened the door, police said. Walmart LP chased Floyd “throughout the store and he attempted to exit with the items through numerous emergency exit doors,” charging documents state. Floyd then abandoned the car and tried again to flee the store. “When confronted by (two) employees the suspect brandished a knife and told the employees not to come any closer,” documents state. Floyd then left Walmart and fled the area in a black sedan, according to police.

Merchandise in the cart he left behind included two Smart Boards, a queen-size air bed, two 43-inch televisions, Remington electric clippers and a portable power bank, documents allege. The items are worth about $1,100, according to police.Troopers were able to lift seven of Floyd’s fingerprints from an exit door, the air-bed box, a Hoverboard box and a package of batteries. A national fingerprint database identified the prints as belonging to Floyd, police said. Troopers then reviewed Walmart surveillance video and confirmed the shoplifter-turned-robber matched Floyd’s description, according to charging documents. Anyone with information on Floyd’s identity can call state police in York at 717.428.1011.   [Source: York Dispatch]

Loss prevention associate injured trying to stop theft

Columbus, Ohio, police are trying to identify two men accused of shoplifting inside of a Macy’s last month. The Columbus Division of Police said the incident occurred on August 21 at 1:10 p.m. at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Police said two Hispanic men, ages 17 and 22, were shoplifting inside Macy’s when a loss prevention associate approached them. A struggled ensued with the bigger suspect. The loss prevention associate was thrown to the ground, which caused the associate to break a finger. This incident turned into a robbery because the LP associate was injured. Anyone with information this incident or the identities of both suspects is asked to contact Detective Beard in CPD’s Burglary Unit at 614.645.2091.   [Source: ABC6 News]

Crew-style thefts plague Apple store and other tech stores

Roseville police say a trend of “crew”-style thefts has been on the rise in recent months, with tens of thousands of dollars in electronics being stolen from the city’s Apple store and a number of other cellphone stores. The Roseville Police Department said in a statement Monday evening that the city has had eight reported instances of crew-style thefts from cellphone/tech stores so far in 2018. Four of the eight have taken place at the Apple store inside Westfield Galleria, which had merchandise taken both Sunday and Monday, according to a news release from the police department.

Three suspects also reportedly stole 15 iPhones and fled the Apple Store on Aug. 29, according to Roseville police crime logs. In mid-August, four males in hoodies walked out of the mall with more than $21,000 worth of products. Similar in nature to other Apple store thefts in the state and nationwide, the alleged thieves entered during operating hours, snatched display products and left the store, with the process taking just a few moments.
 A very similar crime occurred in early July at the Apple store in a Fresno mall. Police described that incident as a “large grand theft.”

A week after the four-man Roseville mall theft, authorities reportedly arrested five people, ages 19 through 26, suspected of being involved in an organized retail theft crew. One of the five was a Sacramento resident, one was from Fresno and the rest were from the East Bay Area, Ventura County sheriff’s officials said. These and other recent Roseville cellphone store thefts do not appear to have been armed robberies, the Roseville Police Department said in Monday’s news release. Roseville police are working with mall management to attempt to ward off future thefts and attempts at Westfield Galleria, according to the news release.

It’s not just the Apple store. Roseville’s Monday announcement said that a police pursuit — involving spike strips that deflated all four tires on a suspect vehicle — led to four suspects being apprehended Friday after reportedly stealing cellphones from the T-Mobile store on Pleasant Grove Boulevard. And Aug. 28, a single suspect was taken into custody after allegedly taking several cellphones from the AT&T store on Douglas Boulevard.

Additionally, a woman was accused of purchasing more than $3,000 in goods from the store using a stolen credit card during an $8,000-plus shopping spree, Roseville police said last week. Police advise not to intervene in these crimes, but to be a good witness and provide accurate descriptions of suspects and suspected vehicles to authorities. And, especially at malls and shopping centers, Roseville police reminded shoppers not to leave items of value in their vehicles.   [Source: The Sacramento Bee]

British Airways breach caused by credit card skimming malware

A security firm says credit card skimming malware installed by hackers on British Airways’  website a few months ago was to blame for a data breach of over 380,000 credit cards. Payments through the airline’s website and mobile app were stolen over the three-week period, but a key clue was that travel information wasn’t affected.

Yonathan Klijnsma, a threat researcher at RiskIQ, suspected it might be the same group that was behind the Ticketmaster breach, in which hackers targeted a third-party that loaded code on Ticketmaster’s  various sites. From there, it could siphon off thousands of transactions. This time, Klijnsma said the group took an even more “highly targeted approach,” describing a wave of attacks that the “Magecart” collective has used to steal thousands of records from various sites in recent months. “This British Airways attack was just an extension of this campaign,” he said, prior to the release of his research.

His research, released Tuesday, points to hackers injecting code directly onto the company’s website which the airline used shared on both the website and the mobile app. Using his company’s proprietary web crawling technology, he found that code hosted on the airline’s global site was compromised on August 21, the reported date of the breach, and malicious code was injected without anyone noticing. When a customer clicked bought plane tickets, the code would scrape the credit card information the open payment page and forward the data to a fake site run by the hackers from a private server in Romania. Names, billing address, email address, and all bank card details were collected by the code.   [Source: TechCrunch]

Grocery chain attains zero-waste status

Giant Food Stores LLC’s Cleona, Pennsylvania, store has become the first in the Ahold Delhaize USA chain to reach zero-waste status. As defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, zero waste means that 90 percent or more of a store’s total waste is being diverted from a landfill or incineration. “It’s been a total store effort as we set up each department, so it’s easy to do the right thing when it comes to lessening our environmental impact,” noted Judy Knarr, assistant store manager at the Cleona location and green captain for her district. “We have associates across the store who have embraced our recycling efforts and collectively have changed the store’s culture to achieve this goal.”

The store’s employees have implemented recycling procedures, as well as carefully monitoring what’s sent to its trash compactor so nothing gets thrown away that could potentially be recycled. This includes ensuring that no cardboard is labeled as garbage, filling designated bins with food waste and scraps for organic recycling, and collecting plastic bags, plastic film and empty pharmacy pill bottles to be sent to Giant’s recycling center. The undertaking began in 2012, when the company began promoting best practices to reduce waste within stores. Along with the Cleona associates, shoppers have joined in the effort. “There are a lot of little things we do that get the customers excited and help us drive down waste at the same time,” said Andrea Doygun, the store’s manager. “For example, we clean the empty frosting containers from the bakery, as well as corn crates from produce, and put them out for our customers to take them home and reuse them. Every little thing counts.”   [Source: Progressive Grocer]

Tech start-up opens rival cashier-less demo store

Another tech company has opened a temporary retail outpost in San Francisco to show off its cashier-less technology. Artificial intelligence technology provider Standard Cognition has opened a “proof-of-concept” convenience store in San Francisco that allows consumers to shop and pay without scanning merchandise or stopping to check out. The nearly 2,000-sq.-ft. shop, called Standard Market, sells basic c-store items. It is open to the general public and will remain open indefinitely. Plans call for expanded hours and new features to be added during the coming weeks. Later this year, customers will have the option to pay without the app, using cash or credit card.

Here’s how the system works: Customers download the Standard Checkout app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Entering the store, customers check in through the app, select items from the shelves, and pay electronically through a credit or debit card stored within the app. Customers receive an electronic receipt following their visit. The system correctly matches items to the right shopper, and detects when a shopper returns an item to a shelf or inserts it in a bag or pocket. There is no scanning required, for a friction-less experience.

Meanwhile, Amazon Go opened the doors to its third cashier-less convenience store on Monday in Seattle. And Walmart is launching a new Sam’s Club concept store that is focused on fresh foods and digital technology. The new 32,000 sq. ft., technology-driven store location, which will set up shop in Dallas, will feature the company’s Scan & Go mobile self-checkout system, and digital signage.   [Source: Chain Store Age]

The post Breaking News in the Industry: September 12, 2018 appeared first on LPM.

Duo arrested for $1.2M in credit card fraud

A federal grand jury in Providence, Rhode Island, has indicted two men on charges of stealing thousands of credit- and debit-card numbers by installing card-skimming devices at gas stations and in other locations in multiple states between April 2016 and June 2018. The two men, Juan Jose Rodriguez-Castro, 36; and Wilberd Armando Reyes-Castro, 25, are accused of using the stolen information to make at least $1.2 million in purchases. They were charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, possession of unauthorized access devices, possession of device-making equipment, possession of document-making implements, and aggravated identity theft.

According to a news release from US Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, the investigation began on June 6, when Pawtucket police responded to a report of an armed home invasion. When they entered, according to the news release, officers discovered computers, credit-card skimming machines, equipment and supplies used to create fraudulent credit, debit and identification cards, a photo identification card printer, a laminating machine, and identification holograms from various states.   [Source: Providence Journal]

Aggravated robbery gets him 25 years

An Iowa Park, Texas, man took a plea deal on Friday morning on an aggravated robbery charge. Andrew Lunsford, 32, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the 30th District Court. The case stemmed from an altercation in December 2017, when Lunsford was accused of attempting to steal two power drills from Lowe’s in Wichita Falls. A loss prevention associate and three citizens chased Lunsford into a nearby parking lot. Lunsford was held down until officers arrived and placed him in handcuffs.

When the employee and citizens caught up to him, Lunsford was attempting to cut the security devices off the boxes with a large hunting-type knife, according to WFPD. When confronted, Lunsford began swinging the knife at the employee and citizens, trying to cut them, according to witnesses. The group was able to tackle Lunsford and take the knife away before police arrived. Lunsford has been in the Wichita County Jail since December 7, 2017.   [Source: NewsChannel6]

Employee busted at grocery store

A Kroger employee stole groceries by ringing them up at a closed register, according to Dayton, Ohio, police. The female worker was fired and issued a summons for theft, according to a police report. No charges have been formally filed, but the woman was trespassed from the store. Police responded to the Brandt Pike store around 2:21 p.m. Thursday.

A store manager told police that video surveillance from Oct. 25 captured the woman checking out $141.99 of groceries at a closed register with an empty till, according to the report. When she tried to leave without paying, the shopping cart’s wheels locked up as part of the store’s security measures. The employee then took the groceries and left the store. The manager also showed police surveillance video of the woman ringing up the groceries and trying to leave, according to the report.   [Source: WHIO7 News]

Cargo theft volume down, value up

Cargo thieves are stealing less and enjoying it more. Or, put another way, compared with third-quarter 2017, the third quarter of this year saw an 11 percent decrease in cargo-theft volume but a 31 percent increase in value. So maybe they’re working smarter not harder. Any way you slice it, cargo thieves are opportunistic and follow the money, according to figures from SensiGuard’s Supply Chain Intelligence Center, which just released its third-quarter report on cargo theft in the US. The center categorizes stolen loads in 12 cargo types and tracks by date, location, method used, value and specific products stolen.

California continues to be the top state for cargo theft, followed by Texas, Illinois, Georgia and Florida, with the report noting that “It appears as though organized cargo thieves are becoming more active in the greater Chicago area and are primarily targeting miscellaneous shipments (26 percent) as well as alcohol, electronics and metals (16 percent each).” The center uses statistics reported by sources such as transportation security councils, insurance companies and law enforcement agencies. Not included in this report are last-mile courier thefts. Theft of full-truckload freight continues to be the preference, accounting for 68 percent of all reported thefts in the third quarter of this year. Those amounted to a loss value of $140,275, a 10 percent decrease from the prior quarter of 2018.   [Source: The Trucker]

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