House Talk with Silvia Dukes

Hernando Beach Florida Crime Watch Warns of Fraudulent Scheme

Apparently, there is more than one way to pick a pocket.  At last night's Hernando Beach Property Owners monthly meeting, a representative of the Hernando Beach Crime Watch shared information their organization had received from the Hernando County Sheriff's Department about a scheme that had occurred in the area to scam consumers out of money.

Reportedly, this consumer scam involves the popular "cash back" options given at cash registers of stores when using credit or debit cards.  It appears that, even if the customer does not choose the cash back option, it can still be selected by the cashier without the knowledge of the customer.  In a case like this, the cashier works together with another person in line behind the customer checking out and the cash is handed to the that next person in line.

Although the cash back transaction is printed on the receipt given to the customer, most people do not even look at their receipt before leaving the store and don't notice the scam right away especially since the amounts involved are rather small. 

People will just think, oh well, I spent more than I thought or I must have miscalculated by $20 or whatever the amount may be.  When they finally discover the cash back transaction after getting home or even worse, after reviewing their credit card or bank statements, it is too late to do anything about it. 

To avoid being scammed in this way, the advice is to not only watch what rings up at the cash register but also to check the printed receipt before leaving the line at the register.  If there is any discrepancy or a cash back transaction that was not requested, address the issue immediately and ask to speak to a manager if the cashier refuses to cooperate or refuses to reverse the transaction.

Once again, consumer beware!  It is your money and it is in your interest to protect yourself. 

The Hernando Beach Crime Watch is comprised of volunteer residents working on crime prevention and awareness in the Hernando Beach and the Forest Glenn communities. 

The Hernando Beach Property Owners Association is a civic organization open to all property owners of the Hernando Beach waterfront community.  Monthly meetings take place the first Thursday of each month at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Building at 7:30 PM.  Guests are welcome.