Con artists are continually coming up with new ways to steal information, cash and property. This one has been perpetrated nation wide and is prevalent especially around the holidays.

Thanks to NYPD Police Officer Lou LeBron for contributing to this article.

The following is an actual letter from a victim. It is edited for space constraints. "I want to let you all know that Frank and I have been the victims of a credit card fraud and felt I should warn you all about this clever scam. Last Wednesday morning I received a phone call from Express Couriers to ask if I was going to be home as there was a delivery for me. He said he would be here in roughly an hour. He turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and wine. I wasn't expecting anything like this and said I was intrigued to know who was sending me such a lovely gift. He said he was only delivering the gift and the card was being sent separately (the card never arrived).

There was a consignment note with the gift. He went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol he had to charge the recipient $3.50 as proof that he had actually delivered to an adult, and not left it on a door step if the recipient is out, to be stolen or taken by minors. This seemed logical and I offered to get the cash. He then said that the company required the payment to be by EFTPOS (short for Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) so he's not handling cash and everything is properly accounted for.

Frank was there and got his credit card and "John" swiped the card on this small mobile machine that also had a small screen upon which Frank entered his pin number. A receipt was printed out and given to us. Between last Thursday and Monday $4,000 was withdrawn from our credit account at ATM machines in the north shore area. It appears a dummy credit card was made using the details in the machine and of course, they had Frank's pin number. The bank has stopped our cards and I've been to the police this morning, where they confirmed that it is a definite scam and many households have been hit.

Please be wary of accepting a gift you're not expecting, especially if a card is not with it. We've all received gifts like this and would never dream that it could be such a despicable act."

Forewarned is being forearmed. I wish a happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you all.

GOD Bless and protect our military. Take care, be careful, and I'll see you at the next Crime Scene.

Ken Kleinlein is a former detective with the NYPD special frauds squad, working as a frauds and crime consultant/information specialist, coordinating with the Sarasota and Charlotte County Sheriffs Office's, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement on matters of crime prevention and public information.