Restaurant cashier stole customer's credit card info and spent $180 on it, 2 teens arrested

Two male teenagers, aged 17 and 19, have been arrested for allegedly using stolen credit card information to make unauthorised transactions.

The police said they received a report on December 1, from a victim who discovered that several unauthorised transactions had been made using her credit card.

Through investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the two teenagers and arrested them on Friday (Dec 4).

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the 19-year-old male teenager had allegedly obtained the credit card information of the victim whilst working as a cashier at a restaurant where the victim had been," police added.

"Both male teenagers then used the information to make unauthorised transactions amounting to about $180."

Police investigations are ongoing.

The offence of retaining illegally obtained personal information carries a jail term of up to three years and a fine, while the offence of unauthorised access to computer material carries a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a jail term of up to two years.

The police also reminded members of the public to safeguard their credit/debit card information and to always make credit/debit card payment in front of the cashier.

They said: "Merchants and sales staff are advised to exercise vigilance and adopt correct card acceptance procedures when processing credit/debit card transactions.

"They should look out for the name and security features on the card face and contact their processing bank immediately for advice if they detect anything suspicious."

Additionally, members of the public are advised to adopt these crime prevention measures:

• Opt for an SMS notification to be sent to your mobile phone for any charges incurred on your credit/ debit card.

• Check your bank statements and alert the bank immediately should there be any discrepancies or unauthorised charges; and

• Do not give out your credit/debit card details to strangers.