The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

AMERICANS living in Nassau were put on alert yesterday over recent instances of credit card fraud. US citizens were urged to check their accounts for fraudulent activity, according to a security message sent by the US Embassy.

The warning follows revelations from the Central Detective Unit (CDU) that fraud cases have more than doubled in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.

The US Embassy memo read: “US citizens have reported that they have received fraudulent credit card charges on their credit cards and that their respective credit card companies notified them of attempted fraud related charges on their accounts after using their card at various businesses in Nassau.”

It continued: “The Embassy urges all US citizens to check their credit and debit card accounts for any unusual activity. If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact your bank immediately to close the compromised credit card account and place a fraud investigation with your credit card company.”

Last week, Inspector Debrah Thompson said that the 16 cases of credit card fraud reported up to June this year had a total value of $99,205.99, nearly triple the losses from the seven cases reported during the same time last year.

Ms Thompson, head of the CDU’s Business and Technology Crimes, said the matters were part of a larger ring, adding that police have charged 16 persons with fraud this year.

Pointing to a new trend involving debit and ATM cards, Ms Thompson said police have received two complaints over ATM fraud.