LA PORTE COUNTY — How often do you use your debit card at local restaurants, grocery stores or gas stations? Police in La Porte County say debit card fraud has increased 75 percent over the last year, and they're having a tough time catching the thieves.

La Porte County Deputy Andy Hynek said he noticed $2,800 missing from his checking account when he checked his statement online about two weeks ago.

"I still don't know where they got my information," he said. "I'm assuming it was local."

Detective Brian Piergalski says Hynek is the second La Porte County officer, and one of several local victims of debit card fraud. Police think it's happening at local restaurants and gas stations.

"Even though people have possession of their debit card still, their card numbers are being retrieved," said Piergalski.

Once the credit card number is stolen, the thieves sell it to someone else. Detectives say that number is then used in other states, even other countries. And it all happens very quickly.

"Almost simultaneously," Det. Piergalski told WSBT. "As soon as somebody obtains those numbers, if they have computer access or they know somebody they can give those numbers to, it starts the ball rolling."

Deputy Andy Hynek entered his debit card information into a national computer database. Hours later, detectives in California arrested four men for using Hynek's debit card number.

Still, Hynek said he feels frustrated and violated.

After all the time spent sorting it out and getting his credit back on track, Hynek told WSBT he's now using his credit card more than his debit card.

"The logic behind that is if they're going to get your information, at least they're going to steal and get somebody else's money rather than your own money," said Hynek.

La Porte County police say they haven't caught anyone stealing the debit card numbers locally, but they're actively investigating and communicating with other departments both locally and around the country.

To keep yourself safe, police say you should always carry some cash. That way you're not always relying on a credit or a debit card to pay for something.

Plus, never let your debit card leave your sight. Investigators believe some of the thieves are swiping the cards onto a device that copies the magnetic strip. If you are always with your card, that is less likely to happen.