Barrie Police are warning retailers to remain vigilant after two suspects allegedly used a distraction technique to steal gift cards loaded with money from a Bayfield Street store.
Police were contacted on Thursday, September 17th, after the retailer identified a cash shortage connected to gift card transactions.
According to police, two suspects entered the store at around 8:30 p.m. and selected several gift cards. One suspect provided money for a cashier to load onto the cards. While the cashier was distracted by that suspect, the second suspect allegedly swapped the loaded cards for empty ones.
The suspects then requested their money back, claiming they would return with smaller bills to complete the transaction. Once the cash was returned, police say the suspects left the store with the loaded gift cards.
Police say the suspects may be connected to similar gift card frauds reported at nearly three dozen retail stores across Ontario.
Retail employees are encouraged to watch for distraction techniques, which can include repeated questions, acting confused, engaging in conversation, becoming agitated or accusing a cashier of wrongdoing.
For larger gift card transactions, police recommend that employees keep the cards in their possession until the transaction is fully completed to help prevent fraudulent activity.
Anyone with information about the incidents or the identity of the suspects can submit an online report through Barrie Police’s online reporting system. For fraud prevention information, police also encourage residents and retailers to follow the Barrie Police Fraud Unit on Facebook.
