Cause of Yuba County Senior Center account theft undetermined

Yuba County Sheriff's Department investigators haven't found a link between a compromised bank account for the Yuba County Senior Center and use of a card skimmer.

Department spokesman Lt. Damon Gil said the investigation hasn't determined how someone was able to access the account and rack up $1,600 worth of online purchases last month.

"We're still investigating, but we don't have any information pointing to a card skimmer," Gil said Wednesday. It's possible the theft happened because account information was acquired online, he said.

The update left center officials at a loss to explain how someone got the account information another way. Center Secretary-Treasurer Irene Broome said she was sorry to have assumed her card was compromised when she got gas at a Linda gas station in early October.

"I have no idea," she said. "I haven't used the card for any online purchases in more than a month."

Most of the center's bills, Broome said, are paid by check.

Broome said she has filled out paperwork with the bank where the account is located to see if the missing money, largely spent on theme park tickets, can be restored. She said she expects a response in a week or two.

Center volunteers like Broome said the theft was especially disheartening because the center, a not-for-profit institution, draws relatively little income and closely watches expenses.

"I'll have to be very careful from now on. The next time it happens, it'll come out of my funds," Broome said.

Donations to help the center's finances will be accepted, she also said. The center is at 4979 Olivehurst Ave.