Gift Card Scam, Counterfeiting Top Northampton Twp. Crimes

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Numerous scams involving gift cards and Facebook were among some of the criminal incidents police handled recently. There was even a counterfeiting case.

The Northampton Township Police Department reported its police blotter of criminal incidents for the period of July 31 to Aug. 10.

During this tour, Patrol handled 23 alarm calls; 16 abandoned 911 calls; 37 medical calls; 10 bookings, six domestic disputes; 9 civil disputes; 47 traffic monitoring details, and 6 crime prevention details.

These are the criminal incidents:

July 31

Juveniles —While on patrol at 1:30 a.m., officers saw two juveniles in a business parking lot. When officers approached, the juveniles fled. Officers located the juveniles attempting to hide. While speaking with them, they indicated they fled because they did not want their bikes taken due to curfew. Patrol contacted their parents who came and picked them up.

Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report fraud. The complainant states that while attempting to return a package to an online vendor, they fell victim to a scam. They contacted the vendor via a phone number found on the internet while speaking a the “representative” they told the complainant there were unauthorized charges on their account and that they could fix it for them if they purchased two gift cards for $450 each, which the complainant did. Over the ensuing week, the complainant was instructed to continue buying gift cards and gave the numbers over the phone to the “representative.” The complainant gave the representative the numbers for 39 gift cards worth $450 each. The representative requested and was given access to the complainant’s laptop and opened their bank account. At this point, the complainant realizes this may be scam and ceases contact with the “representative." They contacted their bank and there were no unauthorized charges, other than the purchase of the gift card. The case was referred to detectives.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Buck and West Village Roads for a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Buck Road and was unable to stop prior to hitting Unit #2 which was attempting to turn left onto West Village Road. Both vehicles sustained minor damage and did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

Aug. 1

Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report a check fraud. The complainant stated that a check was cashed on their business account that they had not written and was not in their sequence of checks. The check, for a significant amount, was cashed to an individual in California. The complainant notified their bank.

Fraud/Theft —The complainant came into headquarters to report a check fraud/theft. They stated that they mailed a check from a blue mailbox in the township on June 7. On June 12, they were notified that the check had been cashed by an unauthorized party. The complainant’s bank is doing an investigation into the fraud but needs a police report. The complainant was advised to review their accounts and credit history.

Found Property —Patrol responded to Bustleton Pike for a report of found property. The complainant advised that the landscaper found a debit card in the grass. Patrol was able to locate the owner and advise of the found card.

Aug. 2

Scam —The complainant came into headquarters to report an attempted scam. The complainant stated they accepted a friend request on Facebook from an individual named “Miles Alexander." They continued to have conversations for about a week, when “Miles Alexander” requested they send them money for a “Freedom Pass Card,”, they asked the complainant to send them the money through a Bitcoin Account. When the complainant explained they didn’t have Bitcoin, they then requested the complainant purchase six gift cards for $500 each, telling the complainant, that if asked, to tell anyone they are buying them for family and friends. At this point, the complainant realized this was a scam and ceased all communication. The complainant did not provide any financial information to “Miles Alexander.”

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bustleton Pike and Bristol Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was attempting to turn left at the stop sign when they struck Unit #2 who was traveling on Bustleton Pike. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage but did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

Aug. 3

Found Property —The complainant reported finding a wallet while walking in the area of Route 232 and New Road. Patrol located information in the wallet to identify the owner. Patrol contacted a neighboring police department and asked them to make contact with the owner. The wallet was returned to its grateful owner.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bustleton Pike and E. Bristol Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was stopped at the stop sign on Bustleton Pike attempting to make a left onto E. Bristol Road when they struck Unit #2 which was traveling on E. Bristol Road. Both vehicles sustained heavy to moderate damage. Unit #1 was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

Counterfeiting —Patrol responded to a business on Buck Road for a report of receipt of counterfeit money. Complainant states that they received a counterfeit $20 bill, they believe the day before while conducting business. They were unsure who gave it to them but wanted a record of its receipt. The bill is Motion Picture Copy Money and looks similar to real US currency.

Aug. 4

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Elm Avenue for a report of a one-vehicle accident. Complainant states they were traveling on Elm Avenue when a deer entered into their lane of travel, they were unable to avoid hitting the deer. The vehicle sustained significant damage but was driven from the scene. D.U.I. While on patrol, Officers stopped a vehicle for violations. Through investigation, the driver was arrested for suspicion of D.U.I. They were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released to a car service.

Aug. 5

Check Fraud —The complainant contacted police regarding a check being “washed.” The complainant stated that they placed a check, made payable to the tax collector, for real estate taxes, in their mailbox in late July. On Aug. 4, the complainant received notification from their bank that the check had been cashed by a “Jade S. Brown,” not the tax collector. The complainant has notified their bank of the fraud.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Buck Road for a report of a one-vehicle accident. The driver of Unit #1 suffered a medical emergency and lost control of their vehicle which jumped a curb and struck an artificial tree and a metal bench. The driver was taken to St. Mary Medical Center.

Soliciting Complaint —Patrol responded to Ann Drive and Poplar Drive for a report of a solicitor on a Segway. Officers located the solicitor who did not have a permit to solicit. The individual was given information on obtaining a permit and advised to cease soliciting without one.

Aug. 6

Hit & Run —Patrol responded to Brookside Drive for a report of property damage caused by a hit and run. The complainant stated they had parked their vehicle in a parking lot on Holland Road. When they drove home, they realized that their vehicle had been struck, leaving white transfer paint on the bumper. The complainant was unaware of who may have struck their vehicle. D.U.I. While on patrol, officers pulled over a vehicle for violations. Through investigation, the driver was arrested on suspicion of D.U.I. They were taken to headquarters, processed, and released.