Maryland Woman Says McDonald’s Drive-Thru Worker Tried to Steal Her Debit Card: “My Entire Bank Account Could Have Been Drained”
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — A Maryland woman says a routine McDonald’s visit turned into a near financial nightmare after a drive-thru worker allegedly tried to steal her debit card information. The customer, a TikTok creator named Diamond (@cubiczrconia), shared her story online, warning others to stay alert after she noticed something suspicious during her transaction.
Something “Wasn’t Normal” at the Drive-Thru Window
In a TikTok video that’s now been viewed more than 105,000 times, Diamond described how she ordered food and handed over her debit card for payment — but the worker didn’t return it right away. “She closes the window, processes the payment, then opens it again and says, ‘One sec,’” Diamond recalled. “I’m like, why isn’t she giving me my card back?” Moments later, the worker told her she’d get her card at the next window, a claim Diamond found immediately suspicious. “I showed her my Chime app and said, ‘The money’s already taken out. Why do you still need my card?’” she said.
Refusing to leave, Diamond demanded her card be returned. “I get assertive and say, ‘No, give me my damn card back now. I’m not leaving this window until I get it,’” she explained. After a tense standoff, the worker finally handed it over. While no unauthorized charges appeared on her account, Diamond said the situation “didn’t feel right.”
“My Entire Bank Account Could Have Been Drained”
Diamond, who previously worked in fast food, said she knew something was off based on how drive-thru payments are typically handled. “The next window is run by a different person,” she explained. “Why would you pass my card around? That’s weird.” She later reflected that if she hadn’t recognized the red flag, her entire bank account could have been drained within days. After posting about the encounter on Facebook, she says others shared similar stories — some claiming they later discovered fraudulent charges, including purchases made as far away as SeaWorld.
@cubiczrconia @McDonald’s @McDonald’s Corporate
Similar Incidents Reported Nationwide
Diamond’s experience echoes multiple cases of fast-food employees accused of card theft. In North Carolina, a 19-year-old McDonald’s worker was arrested for 26 counts of identity theft after stealing customers’ card numbers, according to ABC11. In Michigan, four former McDonald’s employees were charged after allegedly copying debit card information and using it to make over $50,000 in fraudulent purchases. Social media users also shared stories of similar scams, warning that a few seconds is all it takes for someone to photograph or record a card number out of view.
Experts Offer Tips to Protect Your Card
Financial experts say these incidents are a reminder to be extra cautious when paying in person. Fidelity reports that one in twenty adults faced some form of identity theft or credit card fraud in 2021. Recommended safety tips include:
– Use contactless payments whenever possible to transmit one-time codes instead of full card numbers.
– Enable fraud alerts on your banking app for instant notifications of suspicious activity.
– Freeze your card immediately if something feels off during a transaction.
Public Reaction and Growing Awareness
Thousands of viewers commented on Diamond’s TikTok, sharing their own experiences and new precautions. “This is why I only use mobile apps now,” one person wrote. Another added, “When I worked at Wendy’s, a guy racked up $15,000 before they caught him.” Some viewers said they’ve started asking for managers anytime their card leaves sight. One fast-food worker even commented, “I always keep the card reader where customers can see it — people are worried for a reason.”
As for Diamond, she says she’ll now stick to cash payments whenever possible. “If you wanna play with my money,” she joked, “I’ll play with yours too.”
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