Metro Credit Card Skimming Crime Spree Continues

It's a crime spree that has been spreading across the metro for weeks; credit card skimming.

Monday, February 16th 2015, 10:07 pm

By: News 9


It's a crime spree that has been spreading across the metro for weeks; credit card skimming. One victim spoke out after nearly $1,300 was stolen out of his bank account in a matter of minutes.

David Pannell was trying to make a purchase at a jewelry store Friday evening when the transaction wouldn't go through.

He quickly accessed his account through an app on his phone and noticed fraudulent transactions.

“We wouldn't have known until we went to the bank to find out,” said David Pannell.

Pannell and his wife, Roxanne, said the Friday before Valentine's Day, which was also their 31st wedding anniversary, turned into a day of trying to track down the thief who nearly wiped out their bank account.

“If this could happen to me, it could happen to anybody, because I am careful the way I use my credit and debit cards,” said Pannell.

David called his bank, then Oklahoma City police to file a report.

The apparent card skimmer was able to make a physical copy of David's credit card, then purchase gift cards at an Office Depot and Staples off May Avenue.

“I do purchase a few things for my business from Staples and Office Depot on occasion,” said Pannell. “These certainly were not my purchases.”

Two $400 gift cards and two $200 gift cards were purchased using a copy of David's credit card, and it all happened while David was trying to purchase that anniversary gift across the street at the jewelry store.

“And if they got me for $1,200, $1,300, how many others did they get for that kind of money?” Pannell asked.

Several, according to metro police. 

1/26/2015 Related Story: Criminals Use Skimmers To Steal Credit Card Information At Edmond Gas Stations

Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, and Midwest City police are warning people of similar crimes.

Moore police have been looking for a man caught on surveillance cameras for weeks now. He's accused of using a skimming device to make fake credit cards. 

1/21/2015 Related Story: Moore Police Search For Man Skimming Credit Cards

“They're able to do it without anyone knowing,” said Sgt. Jeremy Lewis, Moore Police Department.

“A merchant should be checking identification on credit transactions, particularly when they're buying gift cards,” said Pannell.

David said he believes his credit card was compromised at an area gas station while using it at the pump.

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