Sheriff's deputies are investigating dozens of cases of credit card fraud tied to use at Carson City businesses.

At least 50 people have had their credit card information stolen by employees of local restaurants, gas stations and other local businesses, Carson City Sheriff's Detective Bob Motamenpour said.

"We've had a huge amount of fraudulent activities from the duplication of credit card information," he said.

"Credit card, or bank and debit card information from Carson City has been used in Mexico, China, India, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Russia and unfortunately, when we have cards being used in those countries, we are not able to investigate."

Investigators believe the "skimming" is being done by employees of local businesses who are selling the credit card information to international outfits that produce counterfeit cards.

In one such case in Carson City, thieves were able to clean out the victim's checking account and savings account when the overdraft protection kicked in.

Motamenpour said at least two Carson City gas stations and a restaurant have been identified as the legitimate businesses in which some skimmers were employed, but determining who the crooked
employee is proves nearly impossible.

Fortunately, the victims are not responsible for a bill rung up in Russia or elsewhere if the fraud is reported as soon as the victim is aware, he said.

"Local businesses and the banks will take the hit on that," he said.