Full Notification

Fruitport Township Police Department is investigating reported unauthorized use of a financial transaction device.

The investigation started when a complaint was filed with Fruitport Township Police Department by a consumer who had discovered multiple unauthorized transactions when reviewing bank account activity.

The consumer noted multiple transactions at the Taco Bell, located at 5425 Blueberry Lane in Fruitport Township, as well as multiple additional unauthorized transactions throughout the Muskegon County area.

The consumer reported making a purchase at the drive through window of the Fruitport Township Taco Bell on 01/10/2014.
The consumer reported it was after that transaction the unauthorized transactions took place.

Police investigated the unauthorized transactions and discovered the suspect was a Taco Bell employee.

Through the investigation, it was discovered the customer had presented the credit card to the suspect while the suspect was working at the drive through window. While the card was in the suspect’s possession, the suspect had copied, in writing, the customer’s credit card information. The card was then returned to the customer.

The suspect later used this information to conduct multiple transactions at various locations. To overcome anticipated objections to accepting the handwritten credit card number, the suspect had reportedly developed a scheme.

The suspect would present a non-working credit card as payment to the businesses. When the card was declined, the suspect would offer to call the credit card company to straighten things out. The suspect would then present the handwritten account number with an explanation that the credit card company provided this information to be used in completing the transaction. The suspect was successful in convincing businesses to accept the handwritten card number.

Fruitport Township Police Department will be forwarding the investigative report to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office for criminal charges.

Taco Bell management has been very cooperative with the police investigation. It is clear from the investigation the fraudulent charges are not the result of a sophisticated computer hacking attack of the Taco Bell credit card processing system.

These unauthorized transactions appear to be isolated to one particular employee at this time and are not suggestive of any ongoing risks to consumers who conduct business with the Fruitport Taco Bell.

The fraudulent charges were discovered quickly by the victim who closely monitors banking activity, which is strongly encouraged by police. Many financial institutions now offer customizable text or e-mail alert messages to assist consumers in monitoring their account activity. These alerts aid in the early – nearly immediate - detection of fraudulent activity.

Police are asking those who may have recently conducted business at the Fruitport Taco Bell with a credit card to check their account activity for any unauthorized charges. Suspected fraudulent charges can be reported to Fruitport Township Police Department by calling (231) 865-8477.

No further information regarding the investigation, including the name of the suspect, is being released by police at this time. All persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.