Local News

Thieves Raise Credit Card Bills With Stolen Checks

HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ― Talk about a shock; opening your credit card bill only to find somebody's been running up your account without your knowledge. It's all because many companies are sending convenience checks in the mail. Those checks are becoming inconvenient as they become a target for greedy robbers.

"The whole statement was for $9,116.72." One man pointed out the number that surprised him, "A check on 7/31 for $2,500. A check on 8/1 for $3,300, and a check on 8/4 for $2,900." Those checks add up to $8,700, all money the consumer found missing.

His neighbor down the street was hit worse.

"I had about $60,000, my sisters probably had another 40," Therese Dyczkowski explained. That's about $100,000 dollars for the entire household.

Therese found out when she received a call from her credit card company. "They said, did I write a check for $17,000. I was amazed and said 'no,' and she said there was several other checks for $9,600 and another for $7,600."

In all, four houses on one Hollywood street were hit. Police suspect someone may have gone from house to house on the block, snatching checks right out of the mail box.

"It's easier to take ten boxes than to go to one street than another. It's all timing. They're also looking that they don't want to get caught, so they're taking as they can as keep as they can, then leave the area," described Sgt. Jay Leiner of the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Now, Therese has a mail box she can lock. Police say that's not a bad idea. "Any deterrent is a good deterrent. Let's face it," Sgt. Leiner said to CBS4's Ted Scouten, "if you are going to go to one that is locked and one that is not locked, which one are you going to pick? You're going to go for the easy one."

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Division, there are several other things you can do to lessen your chances of being a victim of a similar crime. You can call your credit card company and request they stop sending checks. Schedule somebody you trust to pick up your mail after it arrives. Keep an eye on your credit card bills, and make sure to shred sensitive documents.

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