Not So Clever Credit Crook Caught On Camera
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - A clever crook who reportedly stole credit card information from several upscale hotels in Ft. Lauderdale wasn't clever enough to consider the hotels' security cameras which caught his actions on tape.
Surveillance video from the lobby of one of the hotels shows the man passing the front desk as the clerk leaves to use the rest room. After a few seconds, he makes his way behind the desk and grabs a binder. He then spends the next 12 seconds flipping through it taking credit card and hotel guest information. The himself was also a guest of the hotel. Police said he checked in several weeks in a row using stolen credit card information.
"Basically, he's taking people's identity and credit cards and staying at hotels on their dime," explained Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Travis Mandell. "He's not paying a penny for it. "
Mandell said the man normally checks in under the name HJ Henry, or some variation of Henry. His stays aren't cheap. Not only are the hotels are expensive, but he often orders room service and he stays often.
"He has the audacity to stay at these 4 star hotels," said Mandell. "I mean he's not staying at a local motel, he's going to a big name hotel and he's living the life of luxury."
Mandell said the man can be cocky. He once filed a complaint and insurance claim against the hotel. Until now, police say he's been very careful, not stealing from where he's staying.
"He's been taking information from other hotels and using it to stay at this hotel so that he can continue this process, this vicious cycle of fraudulent use of ID and credit cards," said Mandell.
But police say he messed up when he was caught on camera. Now, investigators believe he's taken his show on the road to Orlando, one of the biggest hotel markets in the country which will make it difficult to track him. The man's victims will never know where he got their information and it will likely take them weeks to notice, by then he'll be long gone.
To protect yourself from scams like this make sure you carefully check your credit card statement every month just to make sure there are no charges on that you did not authorize. Also, at least once a year, run a credit report to make sure there are no accounts opened in your name that you don't recognize.
