Liberty (Ohio) police broke up an identity fraud scam that began on July this year. Several people were arrested in connection with the use of credit cards and debit cards that did not belong to them The suspects were employees at a Liberty McDonald’s restaurant who took credit or debit cards from drive-thru customers and swiped the cards to a device hidden near the window to record their numbers. The information on the device was then downloaded and used to make new cards either in the names of the persons who own the original cards or in the names of the perpetrators.

The fake cards were traced and found to have been used in restaurants, gas stations and stores in Boardman, Austintown, Warren, and Liberty. Purchases included gift cards, televesions, computers, gasoline, and food.

The Liberty police department had received reports from several residents that they had unauthorized charges on their credit cards. Asked to trace their purchases, they found the only common factor was they all bought food at the local McDonald’s restaurant.

The perpetrators were arrested by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers on Interstate 76 on traffic violations. One of them was picked up at her job at the McDonald’s restaurant.

Be careful in using your credit cards. Do not allow your credit cards to be taken away from your sight. Watch cashiers swipe your credit card and immediately retake possession of your credit card once the purchase is made.