Man faces 107 counts of illegal use of credit card

FLORENCE - A sick acquaintance with several credit cards apparently proved too tempting for a man who authorities have charged with 107 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.

Officials with the Florence Police Department said 26-year-old Christopher Wade Hall, 2025 N. Wood Ave., Florence, has also been charged with first-degree theft of property.

"He went on a shopping spree for a few months with stolen credit cards," said Florence police detective Cliff Billingsley.

Authorities said the investigation indicates that Hall took 12 credit cards without the owner's permission.

"From what we have been able to determine, here in Florence he used two (cards) more than 100 times," Billingsley said.

He said the cards were used during a six- to 12-month period and that the credit charges total approximately $50,000. Reports indicated that on one of the credit cards, charges amounted to $12,000 in purchases.

Authorities said the purchases were for various items but many were music and sound equipment.

"While the man was sick and incapacitated, Mr. Hall helped himself to the credit cards," Billingsley said.

He said not all of the illegal purchases were made in Florence and that Hall could possibly face more charges pending a grand jury hearing.

Department officials said Hall had been shielding the victim from the credit card company, but finally the credit card company was able to contact the victim and the incident was brought to light.

Hall is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on bail totaling $112,000.

First-degree theft is a Class B felony which is punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison, if convicted. Fraudulent use of a credit card is a Class C felony, which carries a punishment of one to 10 years if convicted.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.