Two local credit card theft cases may be linked
MOUNT ANGEL, Ore. – Thieves working together to steal wallets right out of women's purses while they shop, then spending thousands of dollars before the victims even realize their wallets are gone.
Police have now connected at least two local cases. Police say there are similarities in thefts from Keizer and Beaverton and there are probably more cases. Now they want the public's help to find several people.
Cameras captured the suspects charging thousands of dollars on stolen credit cards.
Diane Sparks says thieves spent over $24,000 of her money.
Thieves took her wallet at a TJ Maxx in Beaverton and quickly went to Washington Square Mall. They charged more than $16,000 on her credit and debit cards and tried to charge another $7,000 but were declined.
They spent the money at the Apple Store, Nordstrom, Victoria's Secret and Best Buy all within three hours.
"I couldn't believe it," Sparks said. "I can't imagine spending money that quickly, I don't even know how they did it."
A significant number of identity thefts begin with a wallet stolen. And just like in Sparks' case, many victims leave their purses open in their shopping carts and wallets exposed. And it only takes a second for thieves to grab them and get away.
Sparks said she believes someone stole from her while a woman in the store asked her a lot of questions about a sweater.
"I thought, does she think I work here? But I was just trying to be helpful," Sparks said.
Now Beaverton police are looking for the suspects (shown above). Cameras captured them using Sparks' credit cards on July 22. And the day before cameras at the Target in Keizer captured six photos showing thieves with a similar method and some of them with similar descriptions.
Sparks at least got all her money back. The credit card companies and bank reimbursed her. But she's still worried the thieves got her name, address, even her health card.
Police want to hear from anyone who might know the suspects.
It is amazing that the credit cards companies don't try harder to prevent this type of theft. I had my wallet stolen 20 years ago, and they charged $700. The credit card company closed my account, blamed me for the lose. The lady said the police don't care, and the card holders need to be more careful. Why they don't just put our picture ID;s on the card -- doesn't make sense. It wouldn't be that hard, they could charge customers a picture fee. The credit card companies I talked to, don't want to. I wonder if these people are here illegally, they are just looking for a better life. $16,000 would give you a better life, and they didn't have to work for it. If these people are illegal; tell your government -- thank you.
I have one credit card. It has a low limit on it. It also says on the back to "see ID". The security code has been scratched off and I have memorized it.
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More than likely I will be putting my picture on the front and a message that insists that people ask for ID when I am using it.
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Credit card companies are not interested in securing credit cards so I do what I can to make that happen.
Thieves are some of the worst members of society. Â We had our car stolen a couple nights ago. Â Makes me sick that it was taken without thought about the impact to the owners. Â We saved up our hard earned money and spent months searching for what we wanted. Â One word comes to mind about these type of people but they won't let me post it on here :-P.
http://goo.gl/tTVHN
More scumbags living off the fruits of another...... die slowly thieves! Tired of the bs. Hang em"