Credit card thief strikes Tri-Cities, uses cards to buy gift cards

Pasco police are hunting for a man who used eight stolen credit cards at Walmart on Thursday.

The credit card information was likely swiped using a “skimmer,” said police. The device attaches to the front of a card reader. As the victim uses the machine, the device stores the card’s information so that a crook can pick it up later.

The suspect took the information, and transferred it to cards with magnetic strips on them. Then he went into the Pasco Walmart’s self-checkout area, and used the nabbed numbers to buy gift cards. One of them was for $200.

Pasco police did not list the amount for the other seven transactions.

It’s unknown where the skimmer was placed.

The suspect appears to be about 25 to 30, with a slim build, short hair and clean shaven.

If a person notices a card reader sticks out a little farther than normal, try tugging on it. A skimmer will pull off, Pasco police said.

If you spot a skimmer, leave it in place and call 911.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call 509-545-3421 during weekdays and 509-545-3510 on the weekends.

This story was originally published June 16, 2017 at 10:23 AM with the headline "Credit card thief strikes Tri-Cities, uses cards to buy gift cards."