MUSKEGON, Mich. -- Wesco is working with federal authorities to track down possible fraud associated with credit card use at some of the company's 51 Michigan gas station/convenience stores, reported The Muskegon Chronicle.
The Muskegon, Mich.-based company is urging its customers who used credit cards at Wesco in recent months to verify their transactions with their banks or other card issuers. It is unknown, said the report, whether customers had their credit-card numbers stolen after use at Wesco.
The investigation so far indicates [image-nocss] the transactions may have happened between July 25 and September 7, according to the report, citing a prepared statement by the company.
"Wesco has been notified that this is the window [of time]," Wesco spokesperson Ginny Seyferth told the newspaper. She said Wesco has not heard from any card issuers about any instances of possible fraud since September 7.
The company said it is "working closely" with the U.S. Attorney's office for the Western District of Michigan and the U.S. Secret Service.
The U.S. Attorney's office in Grand Rapids declined to comment to the Chronicle, citing its policy regarding open investigations.
The investigation began when financial institutions reported to Wesco and local police agencies inaccurate charges on customer statements in several jurisdictions, the report said.
Wesco posted the following statement on its website and on its gasoline pumps at all stations:
Dear Valued Customers:
We are investigating the possibility of credit card fraud associated with card use at our facilities. Wesco is cooperating fully with federal authorities. We encourage you to verify transactions with your financial institutions. Our greatest concern is for your protection. Thank you for being our loyal customer.
Here's what we know: Recently, financial institutions reported possible credit card fraud associated with card use at our facilities.
The U.S. Attorney's office and the U.S. Secret Service have launched an investigation to understand the scope of the problem.
The investigation to date indicates that credit card transactions impacted may have occurred in the time frame between July 25 through Sept 7, 2006
Wesco will continue to work with federal authorities and credit card companies to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the fraud.
For additional consumer information, contact your financial institutions by using the toll free number on the back of your card.
Visit the Michigan Attorney General's Web site at www.michigan.gov/ag to review consumer alerts. Call the Michigan Attorney General's office for further consumer protection information at 1-877-SOLVE-88.
Thank you for being our loyal customer.
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