Identity thief clones credit card, buys 2 PlayStations

Card cloned at Broward County gas station last month

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff's Office is searching for a man who they said used a cloned credit card to buy a gaming system and make several other purchases throughout Broward County.

Surveillance video from June 18 shows the culprit, wearing a printed T-shirt and coral-colored pants, purchasing a Sony PlayStation 4 at GameStop in Oakland Park.

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Deputies said the man purchased another PlayStation at a different GameStop in Plantation and attempted to use the card three times at a Toys R Us, but the card was declined each time.

The victim, Rita Freimark, told detectives that she received an alert about an hour after the purchases that her American Express card had been fraudulently used at several locations. Detectives said her card had never left her purse, but was cloned when she used it at a gas station.

Earlier this year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services warned the public about dozens of credit card skimmers that were found at South Florida gas stations during a statewide sweep.

To protect yourself while filling up your car, officials advise paying cash inside the store, check to make sure the gas pump dispenser is closed and use a pump closest to the store, as thieves generally target pumps farther away.

Detectives describe the identity thief as a white, possibly Hispanic male in his early 20s. He is clean shaven with dark hair cut in a short Mohawk.

Anyone with information about the identity of the thief is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

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About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.