Crime and Fire

Identity Thief Betrayed by Walmart Gift Card, Police Say

Someone also opened five cell phone accounts earlier the day, all at Lower Macungie man's expense, troopers report.

A 37-year-old Lower Macungie Township man had a busy shopping day recently. Or did he? The Apple Store might have thought so, since it appeared that he opened five cell phone accounts on Feb. 15, according to state police at Fogelsville. Not finished for the day, it appeared that he tried to buy a gift card from Wal-Mart, only that transaction apparently was halted. That combination of transactions got the credit card's attention. Some investigation led those involved to conclude that the card holder, from the 6600 block of Rutherford Road, was the victim of identity theft, police said. The circumstances were reported to police on Feb. 20, troopers said.

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Uplifting Story: Credit Card Company Grounds Airline Ticket Purchase

Someone tried to use Lower Macungie woman's identity to make $2,904 Internet transaction, police say.

A Lower Macungie woman may be soured on the friendly skies these days after a recent alleged incident involving her credit card. The airwaves of cyberspace might not be her favorite, either. Cynthia Umbrell was the victim of attempted access device fraud July 28 in an Internet scheme that originated in Amsterdam, Holland, according to state police at Fogelsville. Umbrell's credit card was compromised, police said, when someone attempted to charge $2,904 worth of airline tickets from Thai Airways. The credit card company grounded the transaction and notified the owner.

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