Whopper of a case: More than 1,000 missing money after visiting Burger King; Secret Service involved
WAUWATOSA -- Police in Wauwatosa say hundreds may be missing money, and they all have one thing in common: They ate at the Burger King restaurant near 124th and Capitol Drive. The scale of this incident is so big, the Secret Service is involved!
Burger King restaurant near 124th and Capitol in Wauwatosa
While restaurant officials aren't warning their customers, police are.
Burger King's slogan may be: "Have it your way," but at the restaurant near 124th and Capitol Drive in Wauwatosa, Joe Havey couldn't have anything.
"I ordered a whopper and my card was declined," Havey said.
He thought it was a mistake.
"I called my bank, and they told me due to them being under investigation they`re not allowing their customers to shop at this location," Havey said.
Burger King restaurant near 124th and Capitol in Wauwatosa
"Initially -- it appeared it was a computer or software issue potentially within this particular restaurant," Lt. Brian Zalewski with the Wauwatosa Police Department said.
Lt. Zalewski says it was back in October when bank officials started calling. Customers were missing money, and they all had on thing in common.
"The cards were used at a Burger King restaurant in Wauwatosa," Lt. Zalewski said.
An investigation revealed the problem may be with the restaurant's computers.
Burger King restaurant near 124th and Capitol in Wauwatosa
Police reports show a computer virus was found that may have resulted in financial information being leaked to criminals overseas.
The system was scrubbed by professionals in early October -- but the problems continue.
"It`s not stopping," Lt. Zalewski said.
The sheer number of impacted cards is staggering. Investigators believe nearly 1,100 cards have been compromised, adding up to more than $160,000 in stolen money taken from customers.
Burger King restaurant near 124th and Capitol in Wauwatosa
Customers indicated to FOX6 News they weren't told they could be at risk.
A store manager told FOX6 News we would need to speak with the franchise owners.
Calls and an email to the company that owns the franchise weren't returned.
Burger King restaurant near 124th and Capitol in Wauwatosa
It's a whopper of a problem -- and Joe Havey says he's thankful he didn't fall victim.
"That`s the happiest I've ever been to have my card declined," Havey said.
Police say victims' bank accounts have been used to make purchases around the world. That's why investigators believe whoever is getting the account information is not from the United States.