50+ people report money missing from debit accounts in Conway

CONWAY, AR - Kristen Spradlin has one son and another on the way. That makes it an especially bad time for someone to steal more than $2000 from her debit account.

"We're hard working people that earn our money and then people just wanna take it from you," she said. "It's just hard, can't live without your money."

Conway police say Spradlin is one of about fifty people to report fraudulent use of their debit card just in the past week. They say a card skimmer, that could be hidden virtually anywhere you use your debit card, could be the culprit.

"It's very difficult for these suspects to obtain your pin number," explained Conway Police Detective Brian Williams. "We hate to speculate that the only way they can obtain that is through a skimmer, however, that's more than likely what occurred."

Making matters worse, by the time victims realize money is missing from their debit accounts, the thief may already be long gone.

"This information could have been captured three months ago, six months ago," said Williams. "There's no way of telling exactly when the information was obtained by the suspects."

As a result, police recommend you check your debit card statement frequently, and report any problems to your bank immediately.

As for Spradlin, the bank refunded her $2000, so now she just wants justice.

"Hopefully they'll catch whoever it is and stop however it is they're doing it," she said.

The Secret Service as well as various financial agencies are helping Conway police investigate the thefts.