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Woman says she was humiliated by fraud accusation at Somerset Collection

Posted at 6:11 PM, Dec 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-23 12:37:47-05

Dana Hale was shopping Thursday night with her 24-year-old daughter inside the Louis Vuitton Store inside Saks Fifth Avenue in the Somerset Collection. 

She bought $6,731 worth of designer bags, a belt, a keychain and Christmas gifts.  She put part on her business credit card and paid the rest in cash. 

But then she was accused of fraud. 

She says it is for one reason, “They profiled me because I was in sweats. Because I was black that they could just treat people any kind of way.”

The clerk told her she could leave her purchases with her and continue shopping. And as she was looking at sunglasses, she got a shocker.

“Next thing I know police came. Troy Police. I said what? He said you and you, I need to talk to you,“ Dana told 7 Investigator Jim Kiertzner.

Her daughter Paris rolled video on her cell phone and Troy Police and Dana are heard talking. 

The police officer said, “The name’s not matching on the card. The card’s declined. So we’re like okay. Then this is possibly credit card fraud.” 

Then Dana is heard saying, “But it didn’t decline though, it went through.” 

Dana showed us the receipt that shows the purchase was approved and it is on her business credit card account.

“It’s really sad and I’m embarrassed. They made me feel belittled. They made me feel harassed.  And it was intimidation that you called the police?”

Dana says Saks Fifth Avenue called her this morning and offered to refund all of her money, $6,700 and she can keep the goods. 

She’s called an attorney. 

Meghan Biango, a communications representative from Hudson's Bay Company, said Saks is investigating the matter. 

"Our customer shopping experience is of utmost importance," she said.