A man and a woman have been charged in a $100,000 fraud scheme at Home Depot locations across the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario.
According to police, the suspects allegedly used stolen credit card information to make fraudulent purchases at various Home Depot stores. The fraudulent activity was first discovered in April 2021, when a victim reported unauthorized charges on their credit card statement.
After an investigation by the Financial Crimes Unit, 35-year-old Michael Smith and 33-year-old Sarah Jones were arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
Police believe that the suspects were able to obtain the stolen credit card information through various means, including skimming devices and online scams. They then used the information to make purchases at Home Depot stores, often for high-value items such as appliances and tools.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are urging anyone who may have been a victim of this fraud scheme to come forward and report it. They are also reminding the public to be vigilant when it comes to protecting their personal and financial information.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of regularly checking credit card statements for any unauthorized charges and taking precautions to safeguard personal information. It also highlights the need for businesses to have strong security measures in place to prevent fraud and protect their customers.
Smith and Jones are scheduled to appear in court on August 10, 2021. The police are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with information to contact them.
