Washtenaw County Sheriff Warns of New Credit Card Scam

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a new credit card scam.

According to a press release from the sheriff, victims receive a phone call from someone claiming he or she is a representative from "Express Couriers" asking if the homeowner is available to pick up a package that will arrive at the home within an hour of the call.

A delivery man shows up to the victim's home with a basket of flowers and wine with an official looking ‘consignment’ note with the gift. According to police, the delivery man informs the victim that because the gift contains alcohol, there is a $3.50 "delivery charge" as proof that he had actually delivered the package to an adult.

The victim offers to pay cash but is often told that the company requires the payment to be by credit or debit card only, so that no cash is exchanged and everything is properly accounted for. Victims swipe their credit/debit card on a small mobile card machine which has a small screen and keypad to enter the card's PIN and security number. A receipt is printed out and given to the victim.

Victims later find that money has been charged/withdrawn from their credit/debit account at various ATM machines all over the country. The mobile credit card machine has all the info necessary to create a "dummy" card with all the card details.

"Please be aware of this most recent scam and share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors. Any suspect description or suspect vehicle information should be reported to your local police agency," the sheriff's office said in a press release.