A BUSINESSMAN fears others will become victims of fraud as police search for a man who racked up thousands of dollars on his credit card.

Steven Tauzowski was at Golden Beach on September 12 when his credit card went missing from his wallet.

Mr Tauzowski was unsure how the card came to be in someone else’s hands, but Caloundra officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant John Mahony said it was then used at 36 locations in the following days from Caloundra to Nambour.

“It bugs me that, if I dropped the card, someone had picked it up and used it rather than handing it in,” Mr Tauzowski said.

“It tells you about the kind of people roaming around — you have to be careful.”

Mr Tauzowski’s bank refunded the thousands of dollars unlawfully used about three weeks later, but he says he was inconvenienced by hours spent talking to the bank and police.

“It was a business card and I have business partners so it was a bit embarrassing too,” he said.

“The biggest worry is that whoever did this is going to keep doing it to other people or that he will just get a slap on the wrist.”

Sen-Sgt Mahony said credit card fraud seemed to be an increasing problem.

“This is one of numerous fraud investigations that have been occurring, as a result of credit cards being stolen from houses and vehicles,” he said.

Police wish to speak with the man pictured in relation to the investigation.

Contact Caloundra Police Station on 07 5439 4444 or Policelink on 131444.