Hundreds feel sting of credit card scam

Plano police, along with surrounding agencies, are looking for a man behind a string of fraudulent credit card transactions.

Plano police issued two warrants for Ike Henry Cook Jr., 36, for credit card abuse.

Andrae Smith, Plano police spokesman, said investigators believe Cook is responsible for as many as 100 other fraudulent credit card uses in the metroplex.

"We have identified this individual, but at this time do not know his whereabouts," Smith said. "We want to get the word out. We issued warrants and we hope this will lead to other agencies issuing warrants. He's subject to go into any retail store."

Smith said each offense is committed the same way. After entering the store, Cook will select merchandise and attempt to pay, providing the clerk with an invalid credit card.

Smith said when the card is denied, Cook tells the clerk that the magnetic strip is broken. Either he or the clerk presses the offline button on the credit card machine. The number is then entered manually.

"In order for the banks to have the cards authenticated, the machine has to be online," Smith said. "Cook has been able to trick the clerks. He's apparently sophisticated and a smooth talker."

Before the bank is able to deny the transactions, Cook has already left with the merchandise.

Cook presented his driver's license in the two incidents in Plano. After realizing the transactions were denied, the clerks issued the driver's license information to police. Smith said they were able to positively identify him in a Department of Public Safety photo lineup.

Cook is believed to have hit stores since late October.

Contact the Plano Police at 972-424-5678 with information about Cook's whereabouts.

Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com

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