St. Cloud Police Investigate Fraud Reports

ST. CLOUD -- The St. Cloud Police Department is alerting businesses to a series of fraud incidents involving teenagers.

Police say a group of young people will go into a business and ask for donations to support organizations like junior high baseball, basketball and Boys and Girls Club. The teens will then ask to use a bathroom to gain access into employee areas and steal wallets and purses.

Police say the group will then immediately use stolen credit cards to buy merchandise before the owner is aware the cards are stolen and before they can be canceled.

Police are asking businesses to refrain from letting customers into areas where employee property is kept.

Current investigations are underway at Crossroads Mall and the St. Cloud Times.