Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card: What Are the Odds of an Arrest?

[vliberatore]

Hi Calguns LEOs,

Recently, my credit card was used fraudulently to purchase an oil change and tire rotation voucher. I filed a police report with my local PD, cancelled the card, and notified the shop (since Groupon emails a copy of the purchase). I was able to provide my local LEO with a license place number and vehicle description for the person who tried to use the voucher.

Regarding this, I have two questions:
1) What are the realistic odds of an arrest happening?
2) What kind of timeline am I looking at for a resolution for this?

Thank you, and I'd be happy to answer more questions if any you have some.

P.S. The tire shop was in San Bernardino in case anyone is curious.

[PolishMike]

Zero Percent - Hence why it happens so much.

[vliberatore]

Zero Percent - Hence why it happens so much.

Generally, I'd agree, Typically you hear of a skimmed card without more information.

I'd imagine that it's not often that you get license places and vehicle descriptions for stolen CCs across state lines.

[TRICKSTER]

The credit card companies are the ones usually taking the loss and they normally accept it as part of doing business. Without their cooperation in prosecution, the case would go nowhere.

[P5Ret]

The credit card companies are the ones usually taking the loss and they normally accept it as part of doing business. Without their cooperation in prosecution, the case would go nowhere.

^ That the CC company will eat the loss. Proving who it was who actually used the card with a vehicle license plate number and vehicle description is kind of tough. Unless there is video of the actual transaction, all you have is the registered owner, who when the cops knock on his door says his cousin borrowed the car to move to a new apartment that day, and bought the voucher as a thank you.

[vliberatore]

The credit card companies are the ones usually taking the loss and they normally accept it as part of doing business. Without their cooperation in prosecution, the case would go nowhere.

What would be needed from the cc company?

^ That the CC company will eat the loss. Proving who it was who actually used the card with a vehicle license plate number and vehicle description is kind of tough. Unless there is video of the actual transaction, all you have is the registered owner, who when the cops knock on his door says his cousin borrowed the car to move to a new apartment that day, and bought the voucher as a thank you.

There was a person at the tire shop who I would assume would be able to ID the person who attempted to use the voucher. Unsure if there is video at the location.

Perhaps I'm putting too much thought into this given the conflicting priorities of the San Bernardino PD.

[TRICKSTER]

What would be needed from the cc company?

They would need to be willing to go ahead with the complaint and prosecution as in the end, they are usually the victim that actually has the loss. I never had a credit card company willing to go to court and pursue a prosecution. The loss has just never been enough to make it worth their time.

[vliberatore]

They would need to be willing to go ahead with the complaint and prosecution as in the end, they are usually the victim that actually has the loss. I never had a credit card company willing to go to court and pursue a prosecution. The loss has just never been enough to make it worth their time.

Ah got it, thank you.

[CBR_rider]

Only idiots continue to make money illegally by fencing goods or dealing dope; the smart crooks get into check/cc fraud/identity theft. Mucho dinero for minimal risk.

[jdubs71]

You would have a better chance going the route as the victim of identity theft even if the credit card company wont cooperate. If the person is known to commit identity theft even better. The only issue you run into is getting someone to investigate a case with a low dollar loss, some agencies have a minimum dollar loss they will work such as $5000 before they take the case.

[5150ds]

The only way I would waste leo time with reporting it is if my bank requires it. I am an leo investigator who investigates fraud btw. Even if caught, chances of getting anything other than probation is slim.

[Moemoe1]

The last time my CC got stolen it was used in a KWSS shoe store in San Bernardino. I hate that county. Most of the population is scum, I said most not all. Most.

[jdubs71]

The only way I would waste leo time with reporting it is if my bank requires it. I am an leo investigator who investigates fraud btw. Even if caught, chances of getting anything other than probation is slim.

Im with you, not worth the hassle over a couple hundred dollars that you get back anyway.

[gorn5150]

You have the license plate number of the person who used the voucher, not the person that bought the voucher with your credit card. The person using the voucher just needs to say he bought the voucher off craigs list for $5 and has no idea how the seller got the voucher.

The DA would never file charges and the investigator wouldn't bring it to the DA to file. It sucks but that is the way it is. I was a fraud/high tech crimes Detective until I retired. The only good thing is having the license number can put a bad guy on the radar.

[vliberatore]

You have the license plate number of the person who used the voucher, not the person that bought the voucher with your credit card. The person using the voucher just needs to say he bought the voucher off craigs list for $5 and has no idea how the seller got the voucher.

The DA would never file charges and the investigator wouldn't bring it to the DA to file. It sucks but that is the way it is. I was a fraud/high tech crimes Detective until I retired. The only good thing is having the license number can put a bad guy on the radar.

So here's a question that may apply given your background.

What if I could provide the IP and MAC addresses for the person who accessed my account? Granted, I couldn't prove who was using the computer, but I can't see if hurting.