At a Glance
- Giovanni Primo Blount, 19, was arrested Jan. 18 for tapping customer cards on his own reader after legitimate McDonald’s payments
- Police say he skimmed $10-$20 per swipe, totaling $680 across more than 50 transactions
- Charges upgraded to first-degree felony; he posted $30,000 bond and was released pending court
- Why it matters: Customers urged to scan statements for mystery $10-$20 charges and switch on bank alerts
A Springtown, Texas, McDonald’s employee secretly double-charged customers who paid with plastic, police say, and now investigators want every recent visitor to scour their bank records for phantom charges.
How the Scheme Worked
Blount processed normal orders at the Springtown restaurant, then-according to the Springtown Police Department-tapped the same card on a personal device he carried.
- Each extra tap added $10-$20 to the bill
- Money “routed to an account under his control,” SPD said
- Investigators counted more than 50 separate incidents
The thefts were small enough that many patrons never noticed the duplicate line item.
Arrest and Escalating Charges
Police arrested Blount on Sunday, Jan. 18, initially booking him for theft of property between $100-$750.
After detectives confirmed the personal reader had been used in over 50 transactions, prosecutors bumped the charge to fraudulent use or possession of identifying information-a first-degree felony.
He posted the $30,000 bond and left Parker County Jail while awaiting trial.
What Customers Should Do Now
Authorities believe some victims still have not spotted the hidden charges. SPD issued these steps:
- Review bank and card statements for unauthorized $10-$20 charges
- Set up real-time transaction alerts through your bank or issuer
- Report suspicious activity immediately to your financial institution
- Use contactless mobile wallets when possible; they tokenize card data
- Keep cards out of sight and change pins and banking passwords regularly
Some affected diners have already received refunds, police noted.
Police Thank Public for Vigilance
“Your vigilance plays a critical role in preventing financial crimes and helping law enforcement protect our community,” SPD said. “If you see something suspicious or believe your financial information has been compromised, report it promptly.”
Anyone who visited the Springtown McDonald’s and paid with plastic is encouraged to scrutinize recent activity and contact their bank if unexplained charges appear.
