$3,000 Lost In Computer Software Scam In Northampton Township: Police

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Sometimes you just got to have a Slurpee. That was one incident police handled along with another in which a resident lost $3,000 in a scam involving computer software.

During the period between Sept. 26 and Oct.2, the Northampton Township Police Department reported that it handled 14 alarm calls; 9 abandoned 911 calls; 32 medical calls; 3 domestic calls; 11 bookings; 15 crime prevention details and 63 traffic monitoring details.

10-2-22

• Retail Theft —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road and Second Street Pike for a report of a retail theft. The complainant states that on Sept. 29, a blonde female filled a large Slurpee and left without paying. Video provided shows the suspect filling up the Slurpee and putting the Slurpee under her shirt and leaving the store without paying. It then shows her getting into a vehicle that police were able to identify. Police contacted the owner of the vehicle who had the offender contact police. The offender’s father called to say he had been contacted by the vehicle owner and advised of what took place and wanted to rectify the situation. The complainant chose not to file charges.
• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bustleton Pike for a report of a one-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Bustleton Pike at a high rate of speed when it failed to negotiate a curve, striking a curb and a sign, causing heavy damage to the driver-side front end. The vehicle was towed. No injuries were reported.

10-1-22

• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to a parking lot on Second Street Pike for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was driving through the lot, put their car in reverse and struck Unit #2, which was parked. Damage was reported to Unit #2, no damage was reported to Unit #1 and no injuries were reported.
• Theft —Patrol responded to Bridgetown Pike for a report of a theft in progress. The complainant states they heard their dog barking and then heard their All Terrain Vehicle take off around the house. The complainant went to investigate and found the ATV vehicle had been stolen from the pole barn. The complainant states they had listed the vehicle for sale on Facebook and had provided their address to a few individuals. Officers are locating surveillance cameras in the area.
• Theft —Patrol met with the PA DCNR Ranger at Tyler Park, who reported a smash and grab at Fisherman’s Lot. The Ranger indicated the victim had left their purse in their vehicle and that the rear passenger window had been smashed and the purse stolen.

09-30-22

• Found Property —The complainant came into headquarters to surrender a Wells Fargo debit card found at the intersection of Cherry Blossom Drive and Frog Hollow Road. Patrol was able to locate the owner of the debit card, who indicated they had lost it a few days ago.
• Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report a fraud. The complainant states that they received an email from McAfee advising they had 48 hours to respond or $400 would automatically be withdrawn from their account. The complainant called the number provided and was told it was too late the withdrawal had been made but if they were to go online they would walk them through getting their money back. The complainant complied and allowed the individual access to their computer and put in $3,000 not $300 and told the complainant they would need to purchase gift cards to refund the balance, which was done. The complainant gave the numbers to the caller. When the complainant checked their account again, the original overpayment of $3,000 was gone. The complainant then realized it was a scam and contacted Wells Fargo directly and has an appointment with their fraud department.

09-29-22

• Fraud —The complainant came into police headquarters to file a fraud report. The complainant states that they received a phone call from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service regarding a change of address. The complainant states they tried to call the number back and was unsuccessful. The complainant then went to the Southampton Post Office and was advised that a change of address had been put in, but was canceled. The complainant then stated that they had received a notification from a Shareholder Services Company stating that two separate checks had been issued for shares that had been cashed out. The complainant had not cashed out any shares and notified the company immediately, resulting in the company stopping payment on those checks. The Shareholder Services Company has opened a fraud investigation.
• Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to file a fraud report. The complainant states that they received a telephone call earlier in the day from Amazon regarding their account information. The caller was asked about the value of the complainant’s home and wanted the complainant to verify account information. The Complainant became suspicious and ended the call without providing any information.
• Well Being Check —Patrol responded to a parking lot on Almshouse Road for a report of a driver asleep behind the wheel, while the vehicle was in reverse. Patrol located the vehicle and the driver. Patrol was advised that the driver’s license was suspended. The driver had a licensed driver respond to the scene to take possession of the vehicle.

09-28-22
Disturbance —Patrol responded to Vanderveer Avenue for a disturbance complaint. The complainant states that they are a UPS driver and the resident was blocking them from getting back in their truck. The resident was upset because the UPS vehicle had parked in front of their driveway, blocking it, even though the resident had previously told the UPS driver to not block the driveway. The UPS driver stated that the complainant was not happy that they had parked there and got onto the UPS vehicle and blocked the UPS driver from getting into the UPS truck. Both parties were spoken to.

Well Being Check —Patrol responded to New Road for a report of a found 3-year-old. The complainant states that they noticed a child attempting to cross the road. Another vehicle stopped to help and police were contacted. Police noticed a door a jar at an adjacent property, and were able to identify the child’s address. The child had exited the house.

Fraud —The complainant contacted the police to report a fraud. The complainant states that an unknown subject opened an online account with Bank of America in the Complainant’s name. The complainant just wanted to a record made of the incident.

9-27-22
Fraud —The complainant contacted headquarters to report a phone scam. The complainant states they received a phone call from a person with a thick accent who said they had been in an accident and needed money sent to a lawyer. The complainant knew it was a scam and hung up. Hit & Run Patrol responded to a parking lot on Holland Road for a report of a hit and run. Unit #2 was parked legally when it was struck by Unit #1 who was leaving the parking lot. A witness was able to get the license plate of Unit #1 before it left the lot. The license plate was out of state, patrol attempted to contact state police to have them reach out to the alleged driver. Unit #2 suffered damage to its rear bumper.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Upper Holland Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was attempting to enter the roadway from a parking lot, when it struck Unit #2 who was traveling on Upper Holland Road. Both vehicles sustained minor damage, no injuries were reported.

09-26-22

Open Door —Patrol responded to East Ridge Circle for a report of an open door. Complainant states that their neighbors are away and their back door is open. Patrol found the French doors standing open, no signs of forced entry were apparent and all appeared in order on the inside. Patrol attempted to contact the homeowner but had to leave a message.

Traffic Accident— Patrol responded to Holland Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Elm Avenue at the stop sign, attempting to make a left onto Holland Road, when it was hit by Unit #2 who was traveling on Holland Road. Both occupants of Unit #1 were transported to SMMC and the driver of Unit #2 was treated on scene. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Road Hazard A neighboring police department notified officers of a concrete spill on Bridgetown Pike. Officers found that the spill was recent and the concrete still wet. Northampton Township Fire Department was called and they closed the road down and washed the concrete off the roadway.

Criminal Mischief —Patrol responded to Mohawk Drive for a report of criminal mischief. The complainant states that at approximately 1:00 a.m. on 9/24/22 a loud bank was heard and in the early morning of 9/24/22 complainant found their mailbox destroyed. Drug Possession While on Patrol, officers stopped a vehicle with a suspended registration plate. The operator of the vehicle was found to be in possession of controlled substances. The vehicle was towed and the operator was placed under arrest.