A boy has been charged with fraud after Busselton Police arrested the young holidaymaker at Port Geographe this week.
It is alleged the boy purchased several items from stores without using a credit card, instead giving shopkeepers a credit card number.
Busselton Police officer in charge senior sergeant Jason Van der Ende said the transactions would go through as normal then come back as a fraud.
The alleged offender was charged with two counts of fraud and giving police a false name.
Senior sergeant Van der Ende said enquiries were continuing into other offences.
“Retailers need to be aware; question anything that appears to be unusual and follow procedures. Do not take shortcuts,” he said.
“If a customer gives you a credit card number, question it. And make sure it seems legitimate.”