Some Greater Toronto Area businesses carrying trading cards are increasing their security against robberies targeting the cards, some of which have become extremely valuable in recent years.

Security is the biggest business expense, John Amendola, founder and CEO of Mintink trading card shop, told CBC Toronto.

He said he’s put in alarm systems and 24-hour security cameras at his collectable card stores in Ajax and Vaughan. The store’s staff have “vigorous” security training and customers have to buzz in at some entrances, Amendola said.

“I treat it like a bank essentially,” he said.

In the past five years, the company has had three break-ins, an armed robbery, and six figures worth of mail fraud and theft, Amendola said. He said the losses amounted to “hundreds and hundreds of thousand

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