Man uses fake credit card at Tampa Macy’s

TAMPA - Greg Baxter knew something was wrong when he started receiving credit cards in the mail that he hadn’t ordered.

The 47-year-old man from a small town in Indiana has never been to Tampa. But when he called police to ask them to look into the strange arrivals in the mail, he found out the mail was a product of someone stealing his identity. That person then spent more than $6,000 at a Tampa Macy’s using a counterfeit credit card in his name.

“I was more or less stunned by it,” Baxter said. “I’m angry.”

According to Tampa Police officer Harry Augello, this is happening often. People’s personal information is available on the internet. Identity thieves are finding it there -- Augello believes it’s happening more frequently than dumpster diving now -- and are using it to open up credit cards.

In Baxter’s case, the thief opened a credit card account at a Macy’s in Brandon. Then he went to the Macy’s in Westshore with his temporary credit card -- the real one was sent to the real Baxter in Indiana -- and bought a $4,095 Gucci watch, a $1,345 Gucci watch and $270 Prada sunglasses.

“His job that day was to get as much merchandise as he could, and then just disappear,” Augello said.

The thief then disappeared, knowing the real credit cards would soon arrive at Baxter’s house. Despite the fact that Macy’s has the man on camera making the purchases with the counterfeit card, he has not been caught.

“I just hope they catch him,” Baxter said.

If you recognize him, call Tampa Police at (813) 231-6130.

As for what you can learn from the situation, Augello said -- in addition to the normal reminder of protecting your personal information -- you should real all of your mail.

That includes the mail that looks like credit card offers; it could be credit cards you didn’t order.