Dollar Tree Customers Are Easy Pickings For Cyberthieves

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- More credit union and bank customers have come forward in a growing debit card fraud at Dollar Tree stores, authorities said Wednesday. As much as $600,000 may have been siphoned from as many as 500 accounts at area credit unions and banks after the account holders shopped at the local discount stores. The Golden 1 CU said it shut down 800 ATM cards that may have been compromised, after receiving inquiries from members, and the credit union giant is urging members to monitor their accounts. Investigators say cyberthieves waiting in the parking lots of selected Dollar Tree stores may have stolen personal account information using a wireless laptop computer, then used the data to produce bogus ATM cards, which enabled them to withdraw cash on the victims' accounts.