Whistler RCMP are “making progress” on its investigation of a rash of recent cases of debit-card fraud in the community.

Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair on Tuesday (May 26), though, said, “At this point we’re not prepared to release any details that might compromise the investigation.”

Local police have received at least 16 complaints from the public about alleged debit-card fraud, and have acknowledged that many more have gone unreported. To date, a total of some $35,000 has been reported missing from people’s bank accounts through alleged theft of their debit-card information over the past few weeks.

Police believe the thieves gained access to people’s debit-card numbers and personal identification numbers through something called “skimming,” which can involve both visual surveillance when debit cards are used or devices attached to debit-card machines that can record the information. In such instances, cards are usually reproduced elsewhere and used to access people’s bank accounts.

LeClair said the matters has been turned over to the local RCMP’s General Investigations Section.

Parks busy

Last weekend’s warm, sunny weather brought crowds to beaches in Whistler and a subsequent increase in the number of violation tickets being issued for open liquor.

“We’d like to remind our guests that open liquor is not permitted in the parks, and enforcement will continue through the summer so that the parks can be enjoyed by everyone in an alcohol-free environment,” LeClair said.