Sheriff Grady Judd

Polk County Sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s help in a credit card fraud investigation.

On December 7, 2016, a Lakeland resident reported an unknown suspect unlawfully used the victim’s personal information to open a credit card account.

Detectives learned lines of credit were either attempted or established at several local retail stores without the victim’s knowledge or permission.  The unknown suspect applied for and used credit cards in the victim’s name. The suspect used the cards at Sunglass Hut and Target in Brandon charging over $3,000 in merchandise. It is unknown how the victim’s identification was obtained.

Store surveillance video captured the image of a tall, thin white male, possibly in his late 20s to mid-30s. He was wearing what appeared to be prescription glasses, a blue shirt, and khaki pants.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Detective M. Bell at 863.292.3353 or 863.298.6200.