What you drink and how much can not only effect your health but also increase your chances of becoming a victim of fraud warn Waikato Police concerned about an apparent lack of security around contact-less credit and debit cards.
District Prevention Manager, Inspector Kent Holdsworth, said that across the Waikato, Police are receiving more than one complaint a day involving fraudulent use of contact-less credit cards.
“The most common types of contact-less cards here are known as paywave and PayPass and the type you have is determined by the type of credit card you own. These payment methods are touted as being a faster way to pay for goods and services and are limited to purchases under $80.
“Unfortunately though, like a lot of new technology that is designed to benefit the public there are elements in our society who seek to illegally profit from such innovations and we’ve been getting several complaints from across the Waikato.”
Mr Holdsworth said in the most recent case a victim had gone to sleep on the couch in an inner-city apartment and left her door open.
“When she awoke she found an opportunist burglar had darted in, stolen her card and already made a number of purchases.
“Frontline staff tell me a common thing thieves do is attend a party and wait till partygoers get drunk. Then while no-one is watching or able to pay attention, a victim’s credit card is stolen.”
In one example this week, Mr Holdsworth said a card stolen in the middle of the day was used in four service stations in close proximity to make purchases over a 25 minute period.
“In the first attempt goods to the value of $43.80 were obtained while a $69.99 purchase was made at the second service station. Attempts at two more businesses in the next 15 minutes were declined.
“The most common items fraudulently obtained with the stolen cards include cigarettes and tobacco, alcohol, snacks and fuel.”
Mr Holdsworth said Police urged holders of contactless cards to be more vigilant around the security of such items and to secure them away if hosting a party or keep them on their person if going out.
“If your card gets stolen, notify your bank, and Police immediately so a stop can be put on your card.
“And watch what you’re drinking, it may be that not everyone is in a party mood and some people may be laying in wait, ready to take not only advantage of you and your credit card as well.”
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