Joshua Hafner USA TODAY Published 10:10 p.m. UTC Jul 3, 2018 Motorists about to pay at gas pumps ahead of the July 4 holiday should ask themselves a question, the Secret Service says: Could I get defrauded? The agency announced an effort targeting credit card "skimmers" hidden at fuel pumps to steal financial information — and finances — from unsuspecting motorists. The initiative, unfolding this week ahead of Independence Day travels, has agents inspecting pumps in 21 states. "The Secret Service is leading the charge to protect the U.S. consumer against this growing cyber-enabled financial crime," the agency said Tuesday in a statement, reporting a Memorial Day effort last month that turned up over 70 such skimmers. Skimmers are small, electronic devices installed secretly at pumps and able to capture a swiped payment card's protected data, the agency said. Commercial keys purchased online let fraudsters access pumps often … [Read more...] about Gas pump credit card skimmers set to steal ahead of July 4th travel, Secret Service warns
Department stores offer credit cards
Retailers dominate as banks retreat from rewards credit cards
Banks have retreated from the rewards credit card market, leaving high street shops and online retailers as the dominant forces in the space. Supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco, department stores like Debenhams and John Lewis, and other retailers including Amazon and Marks & Spencer are now the major players, as they can still make the financials of these cards work. European Union rules introduced in December 2015 have limited the amount credit card companies can charge shops for processing a card payment. This cap on interchange fees means that only retailers, who use the cards to boost shopping in their stores, can afford to offer such products. Rewards cards from banks, especially those linked to airline loyalty schemes, have slowly disappeared from the market. Airline cards have been withdrawn by TSB and MBNA in recent months while the Hilton Hotels Barclaycard has been closed to new customers. “These retailers want to entice shoppers to spend more in … [Read more...] about Retailers dominate as banks retreat from rewards credit cards
No jail time for two men in credit card scheme
Jerick Sablan [email protected] Published 6:55 p.m. UTC May 23, 2018 Two men who admitted to bringing counterfeit credit cards to be used to make luxury purchases on Guam were sentenced Wednesday. District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood sentenced the two men after several months of pushing back their sentencing due to concerns about prosecutors handling of their case. In February, Tydingco-Gatewood said she wasn't prepared to sentence 19-year-old Yunkai Lu and 19-year-old Ziwen Weng, two men who pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of at least 15 counterfeit access devices. More: Court enters not guilty plea in mailed drugs case More: Guam police, DEA 'aggressively' going after cocaine cases The pair were found with a cigarette pack filled with fake credit cards that they were told to use at Guam luxury stores to buy items that would be shipped to the U.S.mainland. Lu was sentenced to 18 days, with credit for time served, and two years … [Read more...] about No jail time for two men in credit card scheme
Major Plymouth stores are in financial trouble
The number of high street retailers issuing profit warnings so far in 2018 has hit a seven-year high and provides a “worrying omen” for the year ahead, a major report says. The new Profit Warnings report from global business consultancy EY is entitled High Street Blues and reveals 13 leading FTSE chains, including some with stores in Plymouth, have issued warnings in the first three months of 2018. Among high-profile names issuing profit warnings so far in 2018 are Debenhams, Mothercare, Moss Bros, Carpetright, Dunelm, Card Factory and Bargain Booze. And EY’s experts say there will be more pain ahead for the general retailers - that’s all shops that are not supermarkets. The EY report reveals “a turbulent start to 2018” – particularly on the high street which has seen “one of the toughest quarters we can remember”. The report said: “The standout feature this quarter is undoubtedly the exceptionally high level of retail profit … [Read more...] about Major Plymouth stores are in financial trouble
Justice Department investigating pretrial diversion agreements
Share This Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Facebook Email Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Justice Department investigating pretrial diversion agreements The Department of Justice has begun an investigation into how the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Guam and the CNMI handles pretrial diversion agreements Sent! A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the Conversation To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Jasmine Stole , [email protected] Published 2:20 p.m. ChT April 11, 2018 CLOSE Call, text or send an online, anonymous tip to Guam Crime Stoppers. Wochit CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENT EMAIL MORE The U.S. Department of Justice has begun an investigation into how the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Guam and Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands … [Read more...] about Justice Department investigating pretrial diversion agreements