Scammer uses skimmer to steal credit card info

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - Police are searching for at least one suspect who they said bought thousands of dollars worth of electronics with stolen credit card information.

Lisa Flowers, of Carmel, had her information stolen. Flowers thought she was swiping her card to get gas, just like any other time. Little did she know, someone was stealing her information.

"I had heard of it before, but I never thought it would happen to me," said Flowers. "Very violated, a little frightened. I thought if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone," said Flowers.

Police said the suspect stole Flowers' credit card information using a credit card skimmer, a device that thieves can place over a normal reader on any ATM, gas pump or other machine. Police said the crime is growing more prevalent across Central Indiana as access to the necessary technology gets easier.

"The skimmer traps the code on the card," explained IMPD Sgt. Paul Thompson. "The thieves will come back to retrieve it, download the information to an encoder and create they're own credit card that they can use."

Police said the skimmers can be hard to detect if you aren't paying attention.

The man is accused of using the information to spend thousands of dollars on electronics at Fry's on 96th Street and Best Buy on Michigan Road in Carmel. Flowers said the suspect's spending spree caused her bank to raise a red flag. Until she heard from her bank, Flowers had no idea her information was stolen because her card was still in her wallet.

"Having the card in my possession was a little more of a shock. If it was taken, I could probably understand. But still having it in my possession was quite frightening," Flowers said.

Police said before you swipe your card next time, take a good look at the device to make sure nothing looks suspicious and maybe even pull on it a little to make sure nothing comes off.

If you have any information about the suspect call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.

Carmel police describe the suspect as a white man, 5'10" tall and 165 pounds with dark hair.