ST MATTHEWS, Ky. — St. Matthews Police was called to the Kroger Marketplace off North Hubbards Lane twice October 19. Four men were arrested and face charges, accused of unsealing gift cards, changing their pin numbers, and resealing them.
Then when money was loaded, the money would be stolen, leaving the unknowing customer to discover the zero balance. Officers confiscated close to 3,000 gift cards, valued at over $1,000,000, along with the equipment the suspects used.
"We had two [on October 19], but third or fourth time this has happened in St. Matthews," said Chief of Police for St. Matthews, Barry Wilkerson.
Joe Weller and Riley Shapter walked out of the St. Matthews Kroger, Tuesday, unaware of the arrests over the weekend.
"Kind of [shocked] that it would happen at a regular store, and our regular neighborhood store," said Shapter. "We come here once a week and it's kind of scary."
"I'm really disappointed that people would do that," said Weller. "People looking to get something for free but then they're cheating you. They're cheating us. They're cheating everybody who gets a fake card."
The four recent suspects were apprehended by police because of Kroger's loss prevention. They contacted the department after surveillance footage showed the men placing the cards on the racks.
"Loss prevention here has done a very diligent job of looking at individuals who might be doing this and they've already had it happen in the past so they know what to look for," said Wilkerson.
These three or four cases in St. Matthews have all happened this year. WHAS 11 News asked Chief Wilkerson why.
"We are a large shopping district so that might be part of it," said Wilkerson. "I'm not sure as to the fact of why just this area. I don't think it's contained here."
The department has involved Homeland Security in the investigation.
"[The crime] seems to be pretty far reaching," said Wilkerson. "These individuals for the most part appear to be coming from the California area. We have some information that they've actually travelled down through the northeast, going to different cities and more than likely doing the same thing."
Wilkerson said there are ways to avoid these scams by looking for some signs such as if the pin number is already exposed. If the card appears to be tampered with, don't buy it. Be sure to keep the receipt and pass it along to the recipient, if the card is a gift. Finally, consider buying gift cards directly from the distributor.
"Consumers need to be very diligent in looking at these to make sure they're not altered," said Wilkerson.