December 23, 2005 Update
National City Bank, 3001 W. Big Beaver, 11/18 Representative from Technology Associates of Auburn Hills reported three of the companys checks were copied and forged using the authorized signers name. One for $2,000.00 was passed at NCB in Troy.
Forte Balanger, 1100 Coolidge, 12/13
Complainant discovered an unauthorized phone account opened using the companys credit card account number. Account cancelled.
Bath and Body Works, 440 W. 14 Mile, 12/15, 2:30 p.m.
Complainant reported she received a call from a female claiming to be a representative of their check clearing service. The caller represented she had concerns over the authenticity of a check processed through one of their registers for $50.00 and needed the account numbers to confirm. Complainant looked and found a check for $50.00 in the register, and provided the account information to the listed caller. Complainant received a call shortly thereafter from their other store on Big Beaver warning her they received a similar call. In that call the caller provided a register number where the transaction supposedly occurred. That register was not in service, therefore the manager immediately suspected a fraud attempt. The original complainant called their check service; they confirmed no such inquiry was made on their behalf. The responding officer was able to contact the check holder whose account number was given out. She immediately contacted her bank and closed the account. No money was lost.
Complainant reported receiving a call from an individual claiming to be a Wal-Mart representative advising he had won a prize from a contest at a Wal-Mart store. Complainant knew he hadn't entered any contests, but played along to determine what the scam might be. The caller provided complainant an address in the 755 W. Big Beaver Office Building. He provided the complainant a date and time to be there, indicating he would need to provide two forms of identification to claim the prize; one had to be a photo ID. Complainant called Wal-Mart Headquarters who affirmed they would never contact customers by phone at their homes in such a manner. Officers tried to check the address out at the 755 building with negative results. A party approached them while they were there and suggested the business in question might be a time-share vacation property brokerage, promising would-be customers some sort of prize to get them to show up, then trying to sell them time-shares. The officers were unable to verify that assertion, however.
Oakland Mall, 412 W. 14 Mile, 12/17, 12:00 p.m. Complainant made a withdrawal at ATM machine at the mall. When he returned home, he discovered the card missing and suspected he left it at the machine. When he checked with his bank, he discovered an unauthorized charge made against it at a store in the mall for $150.00, as well as another charge for $143.00 made against it at a store in Madison Heights.
Complaint reported his divorce was final in November, 2005. He has since moved to Texas. He owns/runs a small business. He discovered several fraudulent transactions against the business account, which he is the sole owner/authorized user: a check for $350.00 made out to his ex-wife, a $500.00 electronic check used to pay another bill, and a cell phone bill paid on-line using the accounts debit card number. He suspects his ex-wife obtained the check and account numbers while they still lived together.
Complainant reported discovering unauthorized charges against her credit card that occurred while she was out of town. Total charged: $4,125.28; of which $616.83 occurred in Troy. Complainant not sure where or how her credit card was stolen.
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