New Jersey retail fraud: FBI details trading card theft scheme

Owners of trading card and collectibles shops in New Jersey face a rising threat from a coordinated fraud scheme. The FBI reported that seven local businesses were victimized between September 2025 and March 2026. These incidents resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars in high-value merchandise. The targeted items were chosen for their rarity, condition, and ease of resale.

The primary method involves a customer tapping a mobile device on a contactless payment reader. When the transaction fails, the buyer asks the cashier to manually enter a credit card number. Agents noted that the numbers belong to stolen or compromised accounts. Because banks often detect the fraud weeks later, thieves can sell the goods before the store realizes the payment was invalid. Some victims also suffered smash-and-grab burglaries during the same period.

In other instances, criminals use a mobile application to cycle through multiple stolen credit card numbers. The thief holds the phone to the reader until the app finds a card that processes successfully. Some operations involve teams. In one specific case, an accomplice reached over the counter to grab cards while a partner attempted to purchase a box of trading cards.

The risk extends beyond the storefront. FBI agents reported that vendors at trading card events have been robbed at gunpoint outside venues. Others were followed by criminals as they departed. These incidents indicate that the scheme targets both the inventory and the individuals handling it.

The FBI issued specific recommendations for retailers to mitigate these risks. Shops should require photo identification for any manual credit card entry. If possible, owners should disable the manual entry feature entirely. Display cabinets must remain locked and be resecured after every customer interaction. Stores are advised to install security cameras, door alarms, and panic buttons. Staffing the counter with multiple employees helps monitor for distractions. Owners should file a police report for any attempted or completed theft.

Businesses that suspect they have been targeted should call 911 immediately. Owners can also contact FBI Newark at 973-792-3000 or submit a tip through the agency's online portal.