PECO Warns of Debit Card Scam

Customers purchase pre-paid debit cards that are then drained by fraudsters, the company said.

A scam in which PECO customers are misled into purchasing pre-paid debit cards which are then drained of funds is targeting the Philadelphia region, the electric and gas utility said Thursday. In the scam, customers are contacted by persons who claim to work for PECO and informed that they must make an immediate payment in order to avoid their electricity being shut off. The phony employee then instructs the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit card from a convenience store or similar location, then to provide that card's number. The fraud operators then drain the funds on the card. “We want to make our customers aware of this scam so they can protect themselves from becoming victims of this and other fraudulent activities,” said Mark …

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Lower Southampton Police News

Elderly Woman Conned Out of More Than $5K

An elderly woman thought she was going to receive $20,000, but she ended up being conned out of more than $5,000.

A 75-year-old Brownsville Road resident was conned out of more than $5,000 Wednesday, Lower Southampton Police said. At about 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 the victim was at Kmart when she was approached by a woman who identified herself as "Kathy" who told her she needed help. Kathy said she had found a bank pouch in the parking lot with $50,000 in it. She told the victim that she works at the Wells Fargo by Acme on Street Road and if she drove her to the bank to deposit the money, she would give the victim $20,000. The victim drove Kathy to the bank and Kathy entered the bank. She came back out and told the victim they had to wait for a bank manager to call Kathy and confirm the money wasn't stolen. The two went to KFC until Kathy received a…

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Lower Southampton Police News

Police Identify Fifth Suspect in Counterfeit Check Scheme

Lower Southampton Police identified a fifth suspect involved in a counterfeit check scheme.

The Lower Southampton Police have identified a fifth subject they believe is involved in an alleged counterfeit check cashing scheme. According to Phillyburbs, Lower Southampton Police issued a warrant Wednesday for Terrance Darrell Walker, 22, of Philadelphia, who is suspected of using fake identification to illegally cash $2,200 worth of checks against a local health care staffing company’s account. Walker is suspected of conspiring with Jon Whitters, 26, of Philadelphia and Thomas Manigault, 35, of Upper Darby to used fake IDs to cash seven counterfeit checks for more than $5,000 on Sept. 19, police said. They used business information and bank numbers for Vitacare, located on E. Street Road, police said. Walker is charged with 12 …

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Lower Southampton Police News

Police Investigate Counterfeit Check Scheme

Lower Southampton Police are currently investigating a counterfeit check scheme and whether it is a part of a bigger ring.

Lower Southampton Police are investigating five subjects allegedly involved in a counterfeit check scheme and whether they are a part of a bigger ring. According to Phillyburbs, these five subjects are suspected of cashing counterfeit checks using local business's bank account information. Four of the five suspects have been identified by Lower Southampton Police who allegedly stole more than $10,000 combined from two Feasterville medical staffing businesses last month, Phillyburbs reported. Two suspects are in custody and arrest warrants have been issued for two other suspects. "These (suspects) have been identified in neighboring counties/states doing the same thing to other victim businesses/banks," Lower Southampton Detective Eric …

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[Video Update] 22 Charged in $2.4M Defrauding of Comcast

Montgomery County District Attorney Ferman says ringleaders lived lavish lifestyles.

[This article was updated at 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7] Five people have been arrested and warrants issued for 17 others in an elaborate scheme to defraud Comcast of more than $2.4 million between April 2011 and April 2012, the Montgomery County District Attorney's office said Tuesday. The district attorney's office said Alston Buchanan, 28; Leighton Harrell, 26; Kendall Singleton, 26; and Richard Justin Spraggins, 29, all of Philadelphia; and Nicholas Caputo, 31, of Virginia Beach, Va., were "top members of an elaborate criminal organization" that led Comcast customers to make one-time payments to them in exchange for a one-time reduction in their Comcast service bills. "This is a corrupt organization involving a number of individuals …

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Lower Southampton Police News

Woman Tries to Fraudulently Cash Neighbor's Checks

Incidents and arrests as reported by the Lower Southampton Police Department.

The following arrest information was supplied by the Lower Southampton Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Theft 1800 block of Richhill Rd, Feasterville Monday, July 30, 2012 The complainant stated that he left his wallet and laptop in his car overnight, which he believes he left unlocked. He discovered that $126 cash in his wallet was missing, but his laptop and credit cards were still in his car. Someone got into his mother's car and stole about $30 worth of quarters. Forgery 1200 block of Hilton Ave, Oakford Monday, July 30, 2012 The victim spoke with police about fraud to his checking account. He stated that he was contacted by his bank, Univest, and was advised that someone had tried to pass a fraudulent check. The …

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Police Blotter March 29

Incidents and arrests as reported by the Lower Southampton Police Department.

The following arrest information was supplied by the Lower Southampton Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Disorderly Conduct Unit block of W. Street Rd, Feasterville Thursday, March 29, 2012 Police were dispatched at about 5:30 p.m. to the area near Jiffy Lube for a report of a female parked in the middle of the intersection and dancing in the roadway blocking traffic. Police observed a vehicle parked in the southbound lane of Bustleton Pike blocking traffic. There was a female standing outside of the passenger side of the vehicle and she quickly walked around the rear of the vehicle and entered through the driver's side. Officers conducted a traffic stop and the female, Karina Kraus, 32 of Philadelphia, pulled the …

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Police Blotter March 19

Incidents and arrests as reported by the Lower Southampton Police Department.

The following arrest information was supplied by the Lower Southampton Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Fraud Unit block of Lewis St, Feasterville Monday, March 19, 2012 The complainant reported receiving a phone call from his bank regarding a suspicious charge. On March 14, an unknown subject attempted to purchase $363.98 worth of merchandise from SneakerHead.com. The subject provided the complainant's name, debit card information, and had the order shipped to an address in Mount Holly, NJ. The charge initially went through, but was stopped before it was paid. Public Drunkenness Bustleton Pk, Feasterville Monday, March 19, 2012 A complainant reported an intoxicated male on foot blocking traffic at Street Road and …

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Bonnie Sweeten Sentenced to 100 Months

Hoax Mom Bonnie Sweeten learned her fate on charges of fraud today.

Bonnie Sweeten, 40, formerly of Feasterville, was sentenced today to 100 months, or eight years, in prison for fraud schemes and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,091,831 and a special assessment of $200. Sweeten remains in federal custody. A federal judge ruled that Bonnie Sweeten stole more than $1 million from business associates and family members before reporting a fake carjacking and fleeing to Disney World with her daughter. Sweeten pleaded guilty June 21, 2011 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to a press release issued by the U.S. Attornery's Office, Sweeten stole funds from family members, from the law office where she had been employed, and from the law firm’s clients.  She used the identity …

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