How to protect yourself from becoming a victim, SC cops say after credit card fraud arrest
A South Carolina law enforcement agency issued a warning after a woman was recently arrested on a credit card fraud charge. The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office also said there could be more victims as it continues to investigate the crime that occurred at a Midlands CVS.
Deputies got involved on Oct. 16, when a Fairfield County resident reported discovering unauthorized charges after using a credit card at the CVS in Winnsboro, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Shy’lexis Coleman, a CVS employee, was identified by deputies as the suspect, according to the release. Surveillance footage confirmed that Coleman discreetly took a photo of the victim’s card during the transaction, the sheriff’s office said.
The Winnsboro resident was taken into custody on Oct. 30, Fairfield County court records show. She was charged with financial transaction card fraud (value $500 or less) and financial transaction card theft, according to court records.
Information about what was purchased in the unauthorized charges was not available.
When she was arrested, Coleman admitted to investigators that she had multiple photos of others credit cards on her phone, the sheriff’s office said. That phone is being forensically examined, according to the release.
“This is an on-going investigation where there could potentially be other victims,” the sheriff’s office said. “This case highlights the importance of staying vigilant with your financial information.”
Coleman’s bond was set at $4,000 on the combined charges and was posted Oct. 30, court records show.
How to protect yourself
▪ Keep your card in sight: Be mindful when handing over your credit or debit card. If possible, keep it within view during transactions.
▪ Watch for suspicious behavior: Take note if someone appears to handle your card out of your view or near their personal devices.
▪ Monitor transactions regularly: Check your bank statements and set up alerts to quickly spot any unauthorized charges.
▪ Report suspicious activity: If you notice unauthorized transactions, contact your card issuer immediately and report it to local authorities.
Source: Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office
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