Champaign--Police say a drive thru worker who worked at the McDonalds here on North Neil street took the cards and secretly swiped it through a magnetic card reader stealing their information.

The worker, 19 year old Julie Howard then went on a shopping spree with two of her buddies.

Police caught on when several victims came forward.
The link, they all ate breakfast here at McDonald's.
Sgt. Dan Morgan of the Urbana police department showed us how it works.
One swipe and all of your account number is saved.
Police say surveillance video helped solve this case.

"You could see her at the drive up window taking debit cards and and credit cards, scanning it, sliding it through the machine for mcdonalds and then see her reach under the counter and make a motion like she was doing the same thing again," says Sgt. Morgan.

After the number was saved it was transferred onto blank credit cards.
In total, over ten thousand dollars were charged to the accounts.

This is a tricky crime because when all of the victims looked in their wallet their cards were still there.
So they say it is very important you constantly check your account totals.

--Reported By Ben Handelman
Drive Thru Worker Steals Customers Identities