Story by Amy Morrow
Eyewitness News Anchor
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB)-- The latest Crime Stoppers case may have you thinking twice about leaving a credit card with the bartender.
Detectives say the best advice is if you're heading out, pay with cash and don't let your card out of your sight.
"This is an ongoing thing. It's amazing to see the different schemes people come up with," says Detective Charles Petty with the Chattanooga Police Department.
So, the schemers and the scammers keep the Chattanooga Police Fraud Division busy. But this is one Detective Petty hasn't seen before.
"It was different, he had to know the bartender has the debit card," says Detective Petty.
Petty says a Chickamauga man was at The Electric Cowboy where he opened a tab and enjoyed the night until he went to cash out.
"He'd already paid the tab and had the victim's card," says Detective Petty.
Police say the man cashed out and took the victim's card.
He left the club and in a two block drive was throwing down someone else's card to buy a big screen TV at Wal-mart.
"I figured it would be a friend he knew or someone seen him out before locally," says Detective Petty.
But the victim didn't recognize the thief.
Petty says he's hoping to do more than just catch a thief; he wants to put everyone on alert.
"It's real important not to leave your debit card with anyone, even at a restaurant. I'd watch extremely close where the card goes," says Detective Petty.
He says there's a lesson for vendors as well.
"They could've stopped it by saying hey, show me an I.D.," says Detective Petty.
If you recognize the thief, pick up the phone and call Crime Stoppers at 698-3333.
The confidential tip could earn you a cash reward up to $1000.
