Newtown Twp Woman Victim Of $18K Credit Card Fraud: Police

Newtown Township Police reported the following recent activity:

October 26

• At approximately 9:30 am, a Newtown Township resident contacted police to report a suspicious call. According to the complainant, his elderly mother received a suspicious phone call, and the caller ID displayed her own name and phone number. Police advised the complainant that this is common for telephone scammers who can manipulate caller ID information.

• A Newtown Township resident responded to headquarters around 12:30 pm to report that he had received a call from a collection company regarding fraud. The collection agency reported that an unknown individual had bought a 65-inch television in 2016 and a property in 2017 using the complainant’s identity. The collection agency provided documentation to the complainant and required a police report be filed to assist their investigation.

• A Newtown Township resident responded to headquarters to report credit card fraud. The complainant explained that the fraud began occurring in December of 2017 and that the last attempted transaction was in September of 2018. The total value of fraudulent charges was $18,000; however, the credit card company reimbursed the complainant so she did not suffer any losses.

October 27

• Police responded to a Greenridge Circle residence just before 9 am for the report of a theft from a vehicle. Upon arrival, police spoke to the victims who explained that while their vehicle was parked overnight, several items were taken from the center console. The victims were unsure if the vehicle was locked or unlocked at the time. The total value of loss was over $100.

• A Harvest Mews resident contacted police around 2 pm to report a theft from a vehicle. The complainant explained that his girlfriend’s car had been parked in front of his home and that someone broke into it during the night. She thought she had locked her vehicle, but there were no signs of forced entry. The total value of items taken was approximately $500.

October 29

• A Sequoia Drive resident contacted police at 3 pm to report a theft from a vehicle sometime between the evening of November 17 and November 29. The car had been parked in the driveway outside of his home, and several items were taken. The total value of stolen items was less than $40.

October 31

• A Millstone Drive resident contacted police just before 8:45 am to report that he was a victim of theft. According to the victim, his vehicle was parked in his driveway overnight, and someone entered the car and removed change from his center console. The total value of loss is estimated as less than $10.
• A Newtown Township resident responded to headquarters around 3 pm to report a suspicious package that was delivered to her home. The complainant explained that the package was addressed to her and was accompanied by a bill listed as “Cash on Delivery” in the amount of $171.92. The complainant reported that she did not order the product and has never conducted business with the vendor. She was concerned that someone unknown to her ordered the merchandise using her personal information. When she tried contacting the vendor, the woman was told that she ordered it and has to pay for it. Police instructed the complainant not to open the package and to send it back by indicating “Return to Sender.” Police documented the incident and provided the complainant with information about identity theft and the steps she could take moving forward.
• Police received multiple reports of criminal mischief. Click here for more details.

November 1, 2018

• Just before 3:30 pm a Newtown Township resident contacted police to report that her personal information and identity was likely compromised by an IRS scam telephone call she received the day prior. The complainant explained that when she received the call, “IRS” came across the caller ID. She answered, and a male caller informed her that there was a warrant for her arrest. The caller had her provide personal information such as name, date of birth, and social security number to confirm that he was speaking to the person named in the warrant before concluding the call. Police informed the complainant that while there was no exchange or demand for payment by the perpetrator, this is indeed a known scam. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by telephone, email, or social media forums. The IRS has confirmed that they send official correspondence through the US Postal Mail. Police provided the complainant with contact information for the credit reporting bureaus and supplied her with identity theft information.