My purse was stolen a few years ago. The thief took my credit card and used it at gas stations and a Wal-Mart in Richland County to run up more than $1,000 in charges.

When my credit card company informed me of this, I filed a report with the Richland County Sheriff's Department. I also went to the Wal-Mart to see if its loss-prevention department would tell me anything. I was shown a copy of the credit card receipt signed by the thief (who signed his name John Smith). I was also told that a sheriff's deputy could obtain a copy of the surveillance tape showing the thief making the purchase.

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