Credit card fraud outbreak hits Pullman

Pullman Police Department reports the credit card case they have been investigating since Sept. 19 has now ballooned to about 160 victims. Commander Chris Tennant said they are now averaging 30 to 35 reports each day from Pullman and area residents who are checking their card accounts.

Fraudulent purchases, some of them on-line transactions and some on-site transactions using fraudulent credit cards, are involved. They include invalid payments on out-of-state and overseas purchases.

Victims have been from Pullman and the local area, according to the report from Pullman Chief Gary Jenkins.

Officers are now working with the U.S. Secret Service to determine how the information was acquired to make the fraudulent purchases.

People who believe they have been a victim of credit card fraud should first contact their card issuer and then the police department. Victims will be asked to provide their credit card number, where the suspected fraudulent purchase was charged and the amount. Also, the two most recent credit card statements can also be helpful to investigators, Chief Jerkins reported.