Key Bank customers warned of ID thefts

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Town of Tonawanda Police are warning Key Bank customers their accounts may have been compromised.

Authorities say in the last two weeks, they have fielded at least 23 identity theft complaints. All of the cases involve Key Bank accounts.

Jon Bova is one of the customers affected. He didn't realize his credit card number had been stolen until the bank called him.

"I've never been to Long Island in my life and all of a sudden there's a $209 charge from an Apple store," he said. "They noticed it because there was a purchase in Amherst and then a purchase on Long Island 20 minutes later and I think that's how they noticed it."

Therese Myers, a representative for Key Bank, told News 4 reporter Emily Guggenmos that there was a breach with their Mastercard credit and debit cards that occurred at a fast food chain in western New York.

"These breaches are not happening at Key Bank. They are happening at a local fast food chain," Myers said.

She would not elaborate further about the breach, which fast food chain was involved, or how many people have been affected.

However, police noted that all of their complaints came from customers of Key Bank. And News 4 has found at least one identity theft victim who does not visit fast food restaurants and also has a Key Bank account.

If it did come from a fast food chain, Bova had an idea which one it was.

"There was only one place. It was a fast food restaurant on the corner of Sheridan and Sweet Home that I used my card at that I don't normally go to. I am very selective about where I use my card and that was the only place different that I used my card. And a couple days later, all of a sudden there's money missing out of my account," he said.

Police say Key Bank customers should check their accounts to make sure they have not been compromised. The purchases are being made all over the country and Canada.

Bova said," I obviously told them it wasn't me, I didn't make this purchase. I had to contest it to get my money back and until I fill out the affidavit that they sent me, the money is not going to be returned for me. It's extremely frustrating. I would like to think that Buffalo is the City of Good Neighbors and people are honest and try to do the right thing, but that's not always the case."

Myers says if you notice an unauthorized purchase on your card, call the bank immediately. If you're a Key Bank customer, they will then ask you to destroy your card and issue you a new one.

Town of Tonawanda Police say you should also file a police report.