MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - It's not quite Halloween, but that's not keeping cops and criminals from thinking about Christmas. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is on the lookout for a man who they believe is stealing credit card numbers. As the holiday's get closer, investigators fear this may become more common.
Shelby County resident Linda Aldridge worries about identity theft. She doesn't use a debit card at restaurants, she keeps a close eye on her purse in stores, but as far as her bank account goes it's another story.
"I don't go on there and look online on a daily basis," Aldridge told abc24.com.
Shoppers beware, that's the message from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Chip Washington, spokesperson for Shelby County Sheriff's Office, told abc24.com residents should check their bank accounts daily.
"People who try to take advantage of others do a lot of homework, studying and research." said Washington. "When these things happen, they know what they're doing, how to do it."
Washington told abc24.com it doesn't matter how careful consumers are, thieves, like the one their looking for, can still get personal information and spend money.
"It's called masking, it's a device you run your card through and it will download all your personal information into a machine, you upload that to another credit card," said Washington.
Washington said consumers need to watch out as the holiday's get closer.
"This is the time of year when folks plan and plot and we see more situations like this occuring. People will be out shopping and making purchases and there are folks who like to take advantage of situations like that," Washington told abc24.com.
Aldridge said she understands the message and she'll be careful and guarded to protect what's hers.
