Green’s Dictionary of Slang

one who refuses to pay their debts; a swindler.

1937		‘Boxcar Bertha’ Sister of the Road (1975) 304: A beater brazenly obtains credit in her own name and gives the impression that she is responsible and will pay the bill.
1975		E. Torres Carlito’s Way 72: I say Sixto is a beater and a beater is the next thing to a rat.