Gainesville restaurant officials speak out on identity theft investigation
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Updated: 5:22 PM Dec 3, 2008
Gainesville restaurant officials speak out on identity theft investigation
GAINESVILLE, TX ― 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.
Posted: 5:20 PM Dec 3, 2008
Reporter: Rashi Vats
Email Address: rashi.vats@kxii.com
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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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