A Coral Springs man has been arrested and charged with over $50,000 in credit card fraud, cops say.
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A Coral Springs man with a history of theft and fraud allegations faces new charges in the Florida Keys after officials say he stole over $50,000 from a Cudjoe Key couple.
Dwayne Leveridge, 33, was arrested on Saturday, May 30, after an investigation began in April, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
According to an email from the Monroe County court, an official charging document has not been filed in the case as of June 2.
Leveridge previously faced theft and fraud charges in Broward County for allegedly stealing over $6,000 from a man’s TD bank account, though prosecutors declined to pursue the case.
Leveridge also has an active case in Broward related to a traffic stop where police say they found a stolen firearm and a fake driver’s license. He has pleaded not guilty.
According to a statement from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Leveridge is charged with fraud, larceny, illegal use of credit cards and illegal use of another’s identification.
According to the FTC, the cost of credit card fraud could be as high as $5.8 billion per year.
Check out these quick tips for preventing identity theft.
Florida's Office of the Attorney General states that scammers often raid mailboxes or use scams to get ahold of credit card information. Prevent this by using caution when sharing personal information, including credit card numbers and your Social Security number.
Scammers often use fear and urgency to trick their targets. When responding to a message that asks for immediate access to your money or ID, stop and think before acting.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam, or noticed questionable bank statements? Help is available through your bank, as well as identitytheft.gov
Here's how to prevent credit and debit card fraud.
1. Set up account alerts for all financial transactions and review your statements frequently for unauthorized charges or suspicious activity.
2. When shopping online, ensure the website is secure (look for “https” in the URL) and avoid saving payment information on websites.
3. Be cautious with ATMs, and only use machines located in secure, well-lit locations.
4. Never share your card details with anyone, and report lost or stolen cards immediately.
5. Ensure all online accounts have complex, unique passwords and use two-factor authentication where possible.
Allison Beck is an award-winning reporter for the Coral Springs News, a sister publication to the Miami Herald. They are a proud Temple University graduate with experience covering a wide range of topics from stolen human remains to space-based businesses.
