WKYT - Home - Headlines

Police: Man targeted Lexington business in credit card scam

By: Andy Cunningham Email
Updated: Tue 8:45 PM, Jun 12, 2012

Two weeks after WKYT first reported about a Lexington skydiver who was arrested in a case of credit card fraud.

We are learning how he allegedly pulled it off and who police say he was targeting.

Investigators say Justin Hammons, who almost died during a crash landing while skydiving two-years ago, hacked into a Lexington business's computer system and stole hundreds of credit card numbers. Then sold that information to people all over the country.

"I was shocked and devastated," Jeff Spencer, owner of The American Merchant Mall said.

Spencer hired a company to upgrade his surveillance system in April shortly after opening his doors along Bryan Station Rd. That company then hired Hammons.

"His job was to upload new software to my security system, so I had access to it at all times," Spencer said.

However, police say while doing that, Hammons was also downloading the information to every credit card used at the store.

"I didn't know this was going on; customers just started calling in and saying their credit cards were being fraudulently used in states like Texas."

Hundreds of customers were affected, some lost hundreds of dollars. While some of those customers recouped their losses, others have not.

"My customers are my main concern," said Spencer. "I just felt awful their private information was compromised at my store."

Although Spencer has put in a new computer system and vows never to let something like this happen again. He's concerned; the damage has already been done.

"My reputation as a business owner has suffered. Even though this wasn't my fault, I'm afraid people may still associate this scam with our mall."

He says the situation not only lost him business, but vendors as well.

"I'm hoping our customers will trust us once again. We want our customers to have a positive experience every time they come in."

Justin Hammons is in the Fayette County Jail on dozens of charges. He's also wanted in Ohio where authorities say he stole more than a dozen parachutes from 'Start Skydiving Ohio' where he was once an instructor.

He has declined WKYT's request for an interview.


Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
powered by Disqus

Current Conditions

Weather for Lexington, Kentucky
70° F
Cloudy
Mon
86 67
Tue
87 67
Wed
83 66
Thu
79 65

Opinion

The lottery is up to $550 million. Have you bought a lottery ticket?

Yes
No
I don't play the lottery

Most Commented

powered by Disqus

Enter your number for a chance to win great prizes!
Message and data rates may apply
Refuse to Lose

Viewer Photos

Text Links

WKYT

2851 Winchester Rd. Lexington, Ky 40509 859-299-0411 - switchboard 859-299-2727 - newsroom
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability
User Agent: CCBot/2.0 - 158638915