Hancock Fabrics Linked to Fraud in 3 States

By Linda McGlasson
Managing Editor
Bank Info Security
November 23, 2009

Bank customers in California, Wisconsin and Missouri are reporting fraudulent ATM withdrawals that police say are tied to transactions conducted with the Hancock Fabrics retail chain.

In California, Napa Police Department spokesman Brian McGovern says 60 residents reported their cards being used by thieves. In one case, a Napa resident reported $840 in cash withdrawals. The Hancock Fabrics store on Imola Avenue in Napa was the "common thread" among the numerous people who reported credit and debit card fraud. McGovern says the store had recently replaced its point-of-sale machines.

At about the same time, as many as 70 Wisconsin victims reported suspicious ATM withdrawals from their accounts, according to Wood and Portage county law enforcement, which also ties the thefts to machines in Hancock Fabrics stores.

And in Missouri, at least 10 customers at Hancock Fabrics in the St.
Louis area reported their debit card numbers and pin numbers stolen during the week of November 9.