Bank links multiple identity theft cases to Gainesville restaurant
Save Email Print
Updated: 9:31 AM Dec 3, 2008
Bank links multiple identity theft cases to Gainesville restaurant
GAINESVILLE, TX -- Record breaking identity theft numbers have hit Texoma, and the city of Gainesville has seen a drastic increase, where bank officials say one restaurant has over 400 people left without debit cards. Rashi Vats explains.
Posted: 6:24 PM Dec 2, 2008
Reporter: Rashi Vats
Email Address: rashi.vats@kxii.com
Font Size:

GAINESVILLE, Tex. -- Record breaking identity theft numbers have hit Texoma, and the city of Gainesville has seen a drastic increase, where bank officials say one restaurant has over 400 people left without debit cards. Rashi Vats explains.

Gainesville police say there have been over 30 cases of identity theft in just the past month, and one restaurant in Gainesville has put about 400 customers in danger of being victims of identity theft.

It’s the rumor going around town.

"I heard that some guy used his debit card at Golden Chick and supposedly about $400 was taken out of his account," Maegan Puetz told us.

So instead of going to Golden Chick, Maegan and her friend, Ellanie, went somewhere else to eat, because, as we learned Tuesday, one Gainesville bank's officials say Golden Chick has been a place where 400 of its customers were in danger of identity theft between October and mid-November.

First State Bank in Gainesville received a number of phone calls from their customers about transactions they never made. It turned out they were victims of fraud.

"What we understand would have happened is someone who would frequent the restaurant on a particular day, their card information was also captured, and basically the magnetic strip, and they reproduced the plastic with that magnetic strip information on it, and then used it and other locations, creating fraudulent transactions," says Tim Turbeville, Senior VP at First State Bank of Gainesville.

First State Bank then investigated all of their customers’ accounts and found there were more people in danger than they expected.

"We had a list of accounts that reported the fraud, so we pulled transactions back from an earlier point in time, and we noticed that a common denominator that all these customers went to Golden Chick," Turbeville says.

Now First State Bank is taking a proactive approach by currently notifying those 400 customers and issuing new debit cards.

Golden Chick goes owner Dee Lee says she gave the Gainesville Police Department surveillance video, and they found nothing connected to the restaurant.

"We gave them the video, and nothing was connected to Golden Chick, but the only thing connecting them is the people that were compromised have purchased from the establishment…We want Golden Chick to be the safest place in Gainesville," Lee said in a statement to KXII-TV.

But all the people that were affected did purchase from the establishment. They have ordered more cameras that will be installed this week, and say they want Golden Chick to be the safest place in Gainesville.

But for those 400 people, Golden Chick wasn't a safe place, and Gainesville police are still investigating. They say that most of the cases reported were stolen from debit cards, and that many of the charges have been made out of state in California or Florida.

If you feel you are a victim of identity theft, experts recommend you contact the police immediately.

We will keep you updated on this story with latest developments.


Doppler 12 Radar
AP Video on KXII
In The Community
Tickets on sale for Denison playoff game
Last Updated: 4:41 PM 11/17/09 - Tickets to the Denison Yellow Jacket Area State Playoff game against Dallas Conrad go on sale Tuesday morning at the Denison ISD Administration Building, the Denison High School Athletic Office, and Parks Drugs at 1926 W. Morton Street. (Full Story)
Turkey Give-a-way

Last Updated: 7:47 AM 11/17/09 - Always Better Care is sponsoring their second annual Turkey Give-a-way. They want to provide an extra special gift for needy families this year. (Full Story)
Legends of Bluegrass Concert

Last Updated: 7:21 AM 11/13/09 - It is time for the Legends of Bluegrass Concert at the Choctaw Event Center. Its coming up Saturday November 14th. The Doors open at 6:00pm. (Full Story)
Fannin County Walk and Roll

Last Updated: 7:18 AM 11/12/09 - If you want to get some good exercise and support a good cause at the same time, Northeast Medical home Home Health is calling on you. (Full Story)
Veterans honored across Texoma

Last Updated: 7:20 PM 11/11/09 - The outpouring on Wednesday at Veterans Day ceremonies across Texoma was both moving and powerful. Across the area local veterans received many thanks and words of gratitude for their service. (Full Story)
More Headlines