need to know
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McDonald’s employee Giovanni Primo Blount, 19, was arrested on Sunday, January 18, and charged with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information
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Authorities allege that while working at McDonald’s, he would process legitimate customer payments and then swipe the card on his personal device, “charging an additional $10 to $20 per transaction.”
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Blount is being held at the Park County Jail with bail set at $30,000
A 19-year-old McDonald’s employee from Texas has been arrested for allegedly participating in a fraud scheme targeting customers who paid by credit card.
Giovanni Primo Blount, 19, of Poolville, was arrested on Sunday, January 18, after allegedly charging a customer twice at a McDonald’s restaurant in Springtown, the Springtown Police Department (SPD) revealed on social media.
Police said he would process legitimate customer payments and then “tap” their credit cards on personal devices, “fraudulently charging an additional $10 to $20 per transaction.” Authorities noted that the money “was transferred to an account under his control.”
“Investigators believe Blount allegedly obtained approximately $680 prior to his arrest,” SPD said.
Authorities note that anyone who has recently visited McDonald’s and paid with a debit or credit card should check their bank and card statements to see if there are any unauthorized or suspicious charges. They also said some affected customers have already received refunds.
Blount was initially charged with theft of property between $100 and $750 and was being held in the Park County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
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McDonald’s
Police said in an update on January 19 that the charges were upgraded after determining that the 19-year-old man had used a personal device to conduct more than 50 transactions. He has been charged with fraudulently using or possessing identifying information on more than 50 items, a first-degree felony.
SPD said Blount posted bond and is out of jail pending court proceedings.
SPD also shared financial safety and security tips, including frequently reviewing bank and credit card statements and setting up transaction alerts through your bank or card issuer for real-time notifications.
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Police car lights flashing
The authority also noted that customers should frequently check their activity and report any suspicious charges to their financial institution immediately.
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Other suggestions include keeping credit or debit cards out of sight wherever possible and using mobile wallets or contactless payments to “mark card information and prevent any third party from taking physical control of your card.” Police also advise customers to change their passwords and bank passwords regularly.
“Your vigilance plays a critical role in preventing financial crime and helping law enforcement protect our communities,” SPD said. “If you see something suspicious or believe your financial information has been compromised, please report it immediately.”
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