Gainesville restaurant officials speak out on identity theft investigation

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Posted: 5:20 PM Dec 3, 2008
Last Updated: 5:22 PM Dec 3, 2008
Reporter: Rashi Vats
Email Address: rashi.vats@kxii.com

11 comments

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GAINESVILLE, Tex. ― Multiple cases of identity theft have hit Gainesville and one restaurant linked to several victims by a local bank. Now that restaurant is speaking out. Golden Chick is doing whatever they can to make sure their store is safe. Rashi Vats explains.

After some customers claim to have used their debit card and been victims of identity theft, Golden Chick is doing whatever they can to make sure this doesn't happen again.

"We have had 16 on the report that have eaten at Golden Chick, and their cards have been compromised, but at this point none of that has been proven that it's from Golden Chick," says Golden Chick store owner Dee Lee.

But Golden Chick is taking a proactive approach.

"At this point, they are still not able to pinpoint if it’s an issue here at Golden Chick, or if it’s an issue at First State Bank, or if it involves someone else, and we've decided not to wait and be proactive,"- Mark Parmerlee, owner, Golden Franchising Corporation, says.

They have already added a newer camera system since the incidents. Restaurant managers say all registers will now be monitored constantly by their corporate headquarters.

Golden Chick is also adding swipe cards so that the customer’s credit or debit card never leaves their hands, but it isn't just Golden Chick patrons that are being affected by identity theft.

Golden Chick employee Traci Redder says she was a victim just recently, and she did not use her card at Golden Chick.

"I never thought it would happen to me, but it did. It can happen to anybody, no matter where you use your card so be careful," Redder says.

Golden Chick wants everyone to know that they are a safe place.

"We want everyone to know that we are doing everything humanly possible to make sure that Golden Chick in Gainesville is the safest place to eat," Lee says.

Golden Chick corporate officials are currently meeting with Cooke County Sheriff’s investigators to try to get to the bottom of the dozens of identity theft cases First State Bank of Gainesville says are linked to the restaurant.

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Posted by: anonymous Location: gainesville on Dec 7, 2008 at 12:58 PM
The owners grandson-in-law has a bank account at first state bank and frequents golden chick 3 times a week. at the least. and $800 was missing from his account. Can you honestly tell me that if the owner or anyone in the store was doing this they would let it happen to the owners own family. i think not. the bank is pointing fingers bc there is a glitch in their systems.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Use cash

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Sherman on Dec 5, 2008 at 01:27 PM
The geniuses at GC Gainesville put in new debit/credit card swipers at the windows. They each have cameras aiming at them. Why should this make the customers feel any safer? The thieves can just get the information from these gadgets instead of the inside machines. Plus, a smart crook could go by after hours and hack these things. Give it up Golden Chick; you're screwed.

Posted by: maxine Location: texas on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:40 PM
This happened in our town. Found out the ones stealing the card information were from New York state. They hacked into the debit card machines and took the numbers. They then made a credit card and was using it to purchase just about any thing they wanted. Very high tech operation. We can no longer us our debit card as a credit card. This is the only way to go with a debit card.

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Gainesville on Dec 4, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Freaking Golden Chick doesn't need to assure their customers of anything because they pretty much don't have any customers anymore. FSB called and cancelled my debit card LATE Wednesday afternoon b4 Thanksgiving because I used it at Golden Chick. I had no debit card for my out of town trip or to shop with on Friday because of Golden Chick. F them. I like their food but they need to do more. I thought two employees had been arrested? If not then don't go there--oh, your not going there already.

Posted by: Staci Location: Whitesboro on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Its not the only thing in common.. First State Bank... Not all 400 cards was used in Golden Chick.. 400 debit/credit cards where some how compromised.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: G-ville on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Staci noboby is blaming the Lee family, but it is way to weird that Golden Chick is the only thing in common. If I were the Lee family I would check out my employees better. If they hire anything like Taco Casa and McDonalds there is a bunch of criminals working there.

Posted by: Staci Location: Whitesboro on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:43 AM
I am in that location on a daily basis, There are other common factors in this case. I use my debit/Credit card in there every time. I have not ever had a problem with my card. The Lee Family is not guilty of this. They are a Christian family that wanted to do something good for Gainesville.

Posted by: big D Location: cooke county on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:02 AM
It's not just from First State Bank where the cards are being used from. Bank of America's customers cards were also used and the only thing that was in common was that they went to GOLDEN CHICK restaurant. It looks like to me that some one from this business is responsible.

Posted by: Chef Futz on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:31 AM
The real question here is... can I have some free chicken?

Posted by: chickinthemall Location: gainesville on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Well if you had not already lost me as a customer for reason of someone in your establishment (possibly even at your home office)ruining your new little business by ruining others financially; after reading this very unprofessional, accusational response,,,,you have now. I am sure I am not alone.

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