Tag:

Identity theft

2 Days Before Christmas, Man Arrested For Amazon Package Thefts In PA 2 Days Before Christmas, Man Arrested For Amazon Package Thefts In PA
2 Days Before Christmas, Man Arrested For Amazon Package Thefts In PA A 40-year-old Warrington man is accused of stealing Amazon packages from an apartment complex in Bucks County, police announced on Monday, Dec. 23. Christopher Michael Scott was arrested after multiple theft reports from the Westminster Apartments in the 600 block of Valley Road, Warrington police said. Authorities began investigating complaints from residents who reported stolen packages. Apartment management provided surveillance footage and a list of complaints, which helped identify Scott as one of the suspects, according to police. On Saturday, Nov. 30, officers conducted surveill…
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams As the holiday shopping season begins, the IRS reminds everyone that it’s not just your credit card balance you need to watch — it’s also your personal information. As part of its ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS is warning taxpayers about a rise in holiday scams.  The scammers aren’t interested in gifts under your tree; they’re after your Social Security number and financial information instead. Here’s how scammers are getting creative—and how you can stay safe: Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails pretending to be from reputable retailers, shipping companie…
Caretaker Accused Of Stealing Up To $200K From Patient For Drugs In Lancaster County Caretaker Accused Of Stealing Up To $200K From Patient For Drugs In Lancaster County
Caretaker Accused Of Stealing Up To $200K From Patient For Drugs In Lancaster County A Lancaster County caretaker is accused of stealing prescription drugs and up to $200,000 from a patient she cared for, authorities said. Jamie Lynn Lloyd, 42, of Lilitz was charged with Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Identity Theft, Financial Exploitation of an Older Adult or Care-dependent Person, Theft by Deception, Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Access Device Fraud, Unlawful Use of Computer and Other Computer Crimes Arrest, according to Manheim Township police. In the spring of 2023, Lloyd began voluntarily helping the victim, including taking them to appointm…
Caretaker Who Faked Cancer Admits To Stealing From Seniors: Bucks County DA Caretaker Who Faked Cancer Admits To Stealing From Seniors: Bucks County DA
Caretaker Who Faked Cancer Admits To Stealing From Seniors: Bucks County DA A Bensalem caretaker who stole from two elderly clients and faked having cancer to delay her court proceedings could spend nearly two years in prison, according to officials.  Shannon Lynn Eberhart, 48, pleaded guilty to financial exploitation and theft charges in March, said the Bucks County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday, July 10.  In her role as caretaker for two seniors, Eberhart stole cash and heirloom jewelry and made unauthorized withdrawals from one of the victim’s bank accounts, prosecutors wrote.  “Shannon’s actions here are unforgivable,” one of the …
74-Year-Old Man Defrauded By Delco Duo: Police 74-Year-Old Man Defrauded By Delco Duo: Police
74-Year-Old Man Defrauded By Delco Duo: Police A man and woman in Upper Chichester are wanted for stealing from an elderly man, according to authorities.  Police said the pictured pair approached the 74-year-old victim with a $20 bill and said that he had dropped it.  When the man opened his wallet to check, investigators said the suspects recorded video of his license and bank card. A short time later, a large sum of money went missing from the senior's bank account, police said.  The suspects "had darker complexions and spoke with Eastern European accents," according to authorities.  Anyone who can identify them …
PA Fugitive Wanted Since 2018 Caught By Police On Jersey Shore PA Fugitive Wanted Since 2018 Caught By Police On Jersey Shore
PA Fugitive Wanted Since 2018 Caught By Police On Jersey Shore A fugitive wanted in the Philadelphia area for more than five years was caught in Atlantic County, authorities said. Nyieem Ruff, 44, of Philadelphia, was arrested on Saturday, Mar. 23, the Brigantine Police Department said in a news release on Tuesday, Apr. 2. An officer stopped Ruff in a vehicle he was driving without any lights on at around 2:51 a.m. Investigators said Ruff gave the officer a name and "other biographical information" instead of a driver's license. Dispatchers checked national databases and couldn't find any information or a license matching the identity he provided. A s…
Chesco Identity Thief Stole Victims' Mail, Opened Credit Cards In Their Names: DA Chesco Identity Thief Stole Victims' Mail, Opened Credit Cards In Their Names: DA
Chesco Identity Thief Stole Victims' Mail, Opened Credit Cards In Their Names: DA A Spring City man is charged with more than 500 counts in two separate cases of alleged forgery, identity theft, and related offenses, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.  Joshua Hartmann, 41, stole mail from residents in Schuylkill Township, Phoenixville, Malvern, Tredyffrin, Upper Providence, and Lower Providence for months, prosecutors claim.  Authorities say he used the victims' information to change their addresses on file with government agencies, then stole their identities and opened credit cards in their names.  Tredyffrin…
Fugitive Found With Crystal Meth, Brass Knuckles On Jersey Shore: Police Fugitive Found With Crystal Meth, Brass Knuckles On Jersey Shore: Police
Fugitive Found With Crystal Meth, Brass Knuckles On Jersey Shore: Police A man and woman from Pennsylvania were arrested after police found drugs and brass knuckles during a traffic stop, authorities said. Michal Ray, 47, of Morrisville, PA, and Nicole Olenick, 47, also of PA, were arrested on Monday, Feb. 12. The Brigantine Police Department announced their arrests on Tuesday, Feb. 13. At around 10:45 a.m., a Brigantine officer stopped a vehicle for speeding near the intersection of 31st Street and Bayshore Avenue. The officer noticed Ray was not wearing his seatbelt in the front passenger's seat. Ray and Olenick gave identification to the officer who not…
PA Man Used Photo Of Son's Former Teacher In Soliciting Sex From 13-Year-Old, Affidavit Shows PA Man Used Photo Of Son's Former Teacher In Soliciting Sex From 13-Year-Old, Affidavit Shows
PA Man Used Photo Of Son's Former Teacher In Soliciting Sex From 13-Year-Old, Affidavit Shows Authorities have released chats between undercover officers posing as a 13-year-old girl and a Montgomery County man asking for sexual favors. Thomas Bowes, 39, of Lansdale, became the center of an investigation in October 2023, following a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice. ** WARNING: The following news story contains disturbing and graphic information that depicts the sexual abuse of small children ** Montgomery County investigators created profiles on the social media app Whisper, and began engaging with…
Berks Woman Stole Thousands From Elderly Victim's Bank Account, Prosecutors Say Berks Woman Stole Thousands From Elderly Victim's Bank Account, Prosecutors Say
Tracy Hoffman Charged With Fraud In Berks County: DA A Reading woman is accused of defrauding a senior out of thousands of dollars, says the Berks County District Attorney's Office.  Tracy Hoffman, 58, is charged with felony financial exploitation of an older adult, identity theft, forgery, and related counts, according to prosecutors.  Investigators said Hoffman issued multiple checks from the victim's personal bank account without her knowledge, allegedly withdrawing more than $9,000. She's also accused of making over $12,000 in authorized credit card transactions in the victim's name, authorities said.  Detectives believe t…
Woman Accused Of Stealing Wilton Resident’s Identity To Cash Checks Woman Accused Of Stealing Wilton Resident’s Identity To Cash Checks
Woman Accused Of Stealing Wilton Resident’s Identity To Cash Checks A woman from Pennsylvania has been charged with burglary and identity theft after she allegedly broke into a car in Connecticut, and tried to cash checks she stole from that car, police said. Kaitlyn Miller, age 28, of King of Prussia in Montgomery County, PA, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Fairfield County after police said she broke into a car in Wilton Center on Jan. 24. She stole checks from that car and cashed, or tried to cash them, at different banks shortly after, according to police. Miller was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court and charged with: Conspiracy to coming t…
NJ Man Steals $8K+ From Woman Using Passport At PA Bank: Police NJ Man Steals $8K+ From Woman Using Passport At PA Bank: Police
NJ Man Steals $8K+ From Woman Using Passport At PA Bank: Police An elderly woman has lost nearly $9,000 from her bank account after a New Jersey man used a fake passport card at a bank in Bethlehem, PA, police announced on Wednesday, Nov. 22.  Dax Perez Velazquez, 49 of West New York, NJ, somehow obtained a US passport card with his image on it but the elderly woman's name, and used it at a Member's 1st bank in Bethlehem, PA on September 30, Lower Allen Township police detailed in the release. The man initially made a cash withdrawal of $6,800 using the woman's account info and his fraudulent passport card at a teller window inside the bank and the…
Fraudster Leads Police On Foot Chase In Upper Merion: Authorities Fraudster Leads Police On Foot Chase In Upper Merion: Authorities
Fraudster Leads Police On Foot Chase In Upper Merion: Authorities An accused fraudster is in Upper Merion police custody after leading officers on a brief foot chase across Valley Forge Center plaza, officials say.  The suspect walked into the TD Bank at 100 E. Dekalb Pike on Oct. 26 and tried to withdraw $2,800, but the teller became suspicious and alerted management, authorities said.  The bank manager called police after confirming the withdrawal was unauthorized, but the suspect had fled on foot by the time officers arrived, the department said.  A nearby patrol officer spotted the suspect dart across North Henderson Road towards the S…
3 More Men Arrested In Convicted Hacker's $2 Million Scheme At Pennsylvania Banks: AG 3 More Men Arrested In Convicted Hacker's $2 Million Scheme At Pennsylvania Banks: AG
3 More Men Arrested In Convicted Hacker's $2 Million Scheme At Pennsylvania Banks: AG Three more men have been taken into police custody inconnection to with a $2 million bank scheme, according to an updated release by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.  Less than one week ago, we reported that Carl Gonzalez, 19 of Highspire and Tyreese Lewis, 22, of Harrisburg, had been arrested for allegedly impersonating Pennsylvania bank employees and customers. Now, Jaire Amari Cotton, 22, of Harrisburg; Lavon Whittaker, 22, of Harrisburg; and Zyaire Monserrat, 22, of Steelton, join them in the Dauphin County Prison on the following changes.  Corrupt organizations Id…
Convicted Hacker Steals $2 Million From Pennsylvania Banks: AG Convicted Hacker Steals $2 Million From Pennsylvania Banks: AG
Convicted Hacker Steals $2 Million From Pennsylvania Banks: AG Two men stole approximately $2 million from banks by impersonating employees and customers – something one of them had experience doing before, authorities say.  According to the Office of the Attorney General, investigators found that the young men allegedly targeted financial institutions and consumers in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York Counties. Carl A. Gonzalez, 19, of Highspire, was arrested Thursday and arraigned. His bail was set at $10,000. Tyreese Lewis, 22, of Harrisburg, was recently arrested in Los Angeles and arraigned in Dauphin County. He is being held wit…
Trio Used Soldier's Stolen ID To Buy Guns Illegally: Montco DA Trio Used Soldier's Stolen ID To Buy Guns Illegally: Montco DA
Trio Used Soldier's Stolen ID To Buy Guns Illegally: Montco DA Three men are charged in connection with a scheme to use a US soldier's stolen identity to buy guns illegally, according to authorities.  Taalibudeen “Taalib” Ibn Hasdn Anderson, 22, and Tariq Anderson, 23, both of Philadelphia, and Daijon Griffin, 21, of Wilmington, Delaware, are each in police custody, said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele's Office.  It began in Apil, prosecutors said, when an active duty Army serviceman visited his mother in Philly while on leave, the DA's Office said.  The soldier lost both his Pennsylvania driver's license and his U…
Bucks Woman Sought On Identity Theft Charges Bucks Woman Sought On Identity Theft Charges
Bucks Woman Sought On Identity Theft Charges A Bucks County woman is wanted on charges of identity theft after police claim she stole her grandmother's credit card.  Nautica Merritt, 23, of Langhorne, is also sought for felony theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, according to Lower Southampton police and state court records.  Investigators believe Merritt used the credit card to make "numerous" unauthorized purchases. A warrant for her arrest had been issued Lower Southampton police added.  Anyone with information is asked to call the department at 215-357-1234 or submit a tip on the Bucks Count…
ATM 'Skimming' Device Found At Chesco Wawa: Police ATM 'Skimming' Device Found At Chesco Wawa: Police
ATM 'Skimming' Device Found At Chesco Wawa: Police Authorities in Chester County are warning Wawa shoppers to double-check their bank statements after an illegal skimming device was discovered on an in-store ATM.  It happened in Caln, township police said. A service technician located the device on a PNC Bank ATM at the 3025 Lincoln Highway Wawa, the department wrote in a release.  Investigators believe the skimmer was installed sometime between 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, and 2 p.m. on Monday, May 15. The device, authorities say, is thought to be able to read the debit card number and record the PIN entered by the user.  With…
PA Vet Aide Took Dead Dog's Drugs, Stole 1K+ In Gift Cards, AG Alleges PA Vet Aide Took Dead Dog's Drugs, Stole 1K+ In Gift Cards, AG Alleges
PA Vet Aide Took Dead Dog's Drugs, Stole 1K+ In Gift Cards, AG Alleges A 42-year-old veterinarian's aide has been charged for allegedly stealing various drugs, cash, and gift cards from her co-workers and the hospital where she worked.  Heidi Schumacher of Springdale was working at River Valley Veterinary Hospital when she was caught on camera "taking medications— often after hours when employees should not have been at the facility," Attorney General Michelle Henry stated in the release on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.  An investigation by the AG's office found that she "printed forged prescription bottle labels and entered the locked pharmacy after h…
PennDOT Employee Photographed Customer Docs., State Police Say PennDOT Employee Photographed Customer Docs., State Police Say
PennDOT Employee Photographed Customer Docs., State Police Say A 63-year-old Lebanon man admitted to taking pictures and personal information from customers while working at a PennDOT License Center, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.  Ashwin Pari was working as a greeter at the Lancaster Driver’s License Center located at 2090 East Lincoln Highway when PennDOT Risk Management Office contacted State Police on December 9, 2022. Investigators reviewed surveillance video inside the PennDOT facility and found Pari took photos with his cellphone of customer’s information on driver’s licenses, social se…
PA Thief Goes Shopping In NJ With Victim's Stolen Cards: Police PA Thief Goes Shopping In NJ With Victim's Stolen Cards: Police
PA Thief Goes Shopping In NJ With Victim's Stolen Cards: Police Police in Bucks County are pressing charges against a Philadelphia woman who they say snatched a wallet from a diner at a Feasterville restaurant.  Diane Doughty, 32, of Philadelphia, is wanted for felony identity theft, said Lower Southampton police in a release.  Investigators believe Doughty swiped the wallet from a customer at an eatery on the 100 block of East Street Road on Feb. 13. After that, detectives say she used the victim's cards at retail stores in Pennsylvania and out-of-state.  Police tracked the debit and credit activity to a business in Deptford, New Jersey…
Greedy PA Workers Paid Off Student Loans, Took Trips To Jersey Shore On Doctor's Dime: DA Greedy PA Workers Paid Off Student Loans, Took Trips To Jersey Shore On Doctor's Dime: DA
Greedy PA Workers Paid Off Student Loans, Took Trips To Jersey Shore On Doctor's Dime: DA Trips to the Jersey Shore, student loan payments and gifts to their boyfriends. Two employers of a West Chester doctor sneakily stole $450,000 of his money to do just that and more, but not before trying to sell one of the doctor's $1 million properties without his permission, according to authorities in Chester County. Mikayla Zeigler, 22, of West Chester, and Danielle King, 25, of Chadds Ford, "engaged in a cunning scheme to steal from their boss and spent it lavishly on themselves," District Attorney Deb Ryan said. "They used the money to pay their rent, student loans, and credit card d…
Employee Embezzled $2.4 Million From Bucks Gaming Company, DA Charges Employee Embezzled $2.4 Million From Bucks Gaming Company, DA Charges
Employee Embezzled $2.4 Million From Bucks Gaming Company, DA Charges An employee at a Bensalem-based casino supply company is accused of writing hundreds of phony checks to pay himself millions of dollars, say prosecutors.  Michael Bull, 47, of Emmaus, surrendered to police on Monday, March 27, and was charged with multiple felonies related to theft, forgery, and identity theft, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said in a release.  In 2014, Bull began working at KGM Gaming in Bensalem, a firm that sells specialized seating, signage, and indoor fixtures for casinos, the DA said. He first came under scrutiny during a December 2022 audi…
Card-Skimming Devices Found On Bucks Gas Pumps, Authorities Warn Card-Skimming Devices Found On Bucks Gas Pumps, Authorities Warn
Card-Skimming Devices Found On Bucks Gas Pumps, Authorities Warn Card skimming devices that steal sensitive data have been found at two different gas stations in Bucks County, authorities revealed.  The discoveries come just days after five such devices were discovered across Montgomery County. Both skimmers in Bucks were discovered Monday, March 13, and found in Penndel Borough, police said in a statement. One was located at the 7-Eleven at 527 West Lincoln Highway, and the other at Express Gas, 652 Bellevue Avenue, the department added.  Penndel police said they have received "numerous complaints" regarding suspicious devices in th…
Boyfriend Of Newark Woman Missing Since 2017 Charged With Stealing Disabled Son's Benefits Boyfriend Of Newark Woman Missing Since 2017 Charged With Stealing Disabled Son's Benefits
Boyfriend Of Newark Woman Missing Since 2017 Charged With Stealing Disabled Son's Benefits The former live-in boyfriend of a Newark woman who's been missing more than five years accessed her personal information and within days began embezzling benefit payments meant for her disabled son, federal authorities charged. Asmar Earp, a 37-year-old ex-con with an extensive criminal record, first changed the pin code on the benefits debit card belonging to Venika Williams less than a week after she was reported missing in December 2017, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. A few months later, he used Williams's name, date of birth and Social Security number to receive …
Bucks Identity Thief Bilked Senior For $33K, Cops Say Bucks Identity Thief Bilked Senior For $33K, Cops Say
Bucks Identity Thief Bilked Senior For $33K, Cops Say An accused thief in Bucks County is charged with ripping off a senior citizen to the tune of $33,000, authorities say.  Justin T. Rose, 33, of Sellersville, surrendered to the Perkasie Borough Police Department on Thursday, Jan. 26, officials wrote in a statement. Investigators say he racked up the debt over a period of years, using the victim's credit cards to make unauthorized purchases and cash transfers.  Rose was charged with felony identity theft, receiving stolen property, and related counts, court records show. Perkasie police said he was released from custody after h…
Man Left For Dead Under Bridge Was Robbed By Evicted Pair: Montco DA Man Left For Dead Under Bridge Was Robbed By Evicted Pair: Montco DA
Man Left For Dead Under Bridge Was Robbed By Evicted Pair: Montco DA Two 20-year-old people who had been evicted from their apartment robbed and killed of a man whose body was found under a Montgomery County bridge last month, authorities said. Ana Gonzalez-Munguia, 20, and Erick Galo-Ponce, 20, beat 23-year-old Nilson Velazquez-Cardona to death before his body was found under the Stony Creek Bridge on W. Marshall Street Saturday, Dec. 17 around 7:30 a.m. — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Norristown Acting Police Chief Michael Bishop said. Dr. Ian Hood of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, who found that the male died of blu…
Philly Man Made $150K In ID Theft Purchases: Police Philly Man Made $150K In ID Theft Purchases: Police
Philly Man Made $150K In ID Theft Purchases: Police Police in South Jersey have charged a Philadelphia man with making more than $150,000 in purchases using a stolen identity. On Dec. 11, 2022, Evesham Twp. Patrol Officers took a report in which the victim reported that an unknown person had used his personal and financial information to purchase several motor vehicles and various other items. An extensive follow-up investigation was conducted and a suspect, Dajuan White, was identified. White, who is currently incarcerated out of state, on unrelated charges has been charged with impersonation and identity theft, Evesham polic…
Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved' Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved'
Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved' After losing her life savings to an internet romance scam, one Pennsylvania senior is speaking out to protect others from falling victim.  Kate Kleinert of Glenolden had been widowed for 12 years and had stopped looking for love when she received a Facebook friend request in August 2020, she wrote to a US Senate committee last year.  The man said he was a doctor named Tony Richard, and quickly struck up a friendship with Kate based on mutual interests, she said.  "We started talking on the phone through an app he had me download," Kate told Senators. "He told me he was …
Andrew Bucklandon Is NOT Missing: Here's How Social Scammers Get You Andrew Bucklandon Is NOT Missing: Here's How Social Scammers Get You
Andrew Bucklandon Is NOT Missing: Here's How Social Scammers Get You A boy named Andrew Bucklandon hasn't gone missing. He didn't leave for school and not return. He doesn't even exist. For those who've seen -- or, worse, shared -- the Facebook post about a purportedly missing boy the past couple of days, here are a few questions: Does the post include a town? A link? Contact details? It doesn't. Because it's bogus. Like any good phishing scam, the missing boy ploy tugs at the heartstrings and plays on the fears of those who want to help. They're actually helping the scammers find more victims. Phishers threw their latest line into social media waters on…
Thief Installed Card-Scanning Device On Philly ATM, Cops Say Thief Installed Card-Scanning Device On Philly ATM, Cops Say
Thief Installed Card-Scanning Device On Philly ATM, Cops Say Police in Philadelphia are searching for a thief who they say installed secret surveillance devices on a Roxborough ATM.  The suspect walked into the 7-Eleven at 5632 Ridge Avenue just after 11 a.m. on Nov. 25 and immediately approached the ATM, detectives said. An employee witness told police she saw him "acting suspiciously" near the machine.  The next day, staff found a card reading device and a small video camera attached to the ATM, police said. Investigators later determined the devices were capturing card information and PIN numbers entered on the machine.  To submit …