Dillards Racially Profiled, Overcharged, and Ignored Little Rock Arkansas

On On April 1, 2025, I visited Dillard’s Oak Court Mall location in Memphis, Tennessee to make a purchase using my federally funded business debit card. During my visit, an associate named Catherine Harlan racially profiled me by closely following me through the store, excessively monitoring me in the dressing room, and making an unprovoked and offensive comment implying that I had previously been detained, saying, "I'm sure you know how that is." This was completely inappropriate and demeaning. I completed a legitimate purchase for $189.65 at 3:19 PM. However, later, I discovered two unauthorized transactions processed on my account at the same Dillard’s store: one for $230.41 at 4:02 PM, and another for $142.62 at 4:42 PM. I did not authorize either of these additional charges, and my card was in my possession the entire time.

When I returned to Dillard’s to report the unauthorized transactions, Catherine refused accountability and would not cooperate. I asked to speak with a manager and was directed to Assistant Store Manager Michelle. Michelle stated that Dillard’s had no process for investigating fraud or reviewing surveillance footage. She told me to contact corporate instead. I called Dillard’s corporate office multiple times and never received a return call or investigation follow-up.

I have since filed a police report, a fraud complaint with my bank, and complaints with the BBB, CFPB, and FDIC. Despite providing timestamps, receipts, and evidence of the fraud, Dillard’s has shown no accountability for what happened in their store. Dillard’s mishandling of this situation has caused me significant financial hardship, emotional distress, and has jeopardized my federal business grant reporting obligations. Their actions, both the racial profiling by their associate and their refusal to properly investigate financial fraud  were negligent, discriminatory, and deeply damaging.

I am pursuing legal action against Dillard’s for their misconduct.