Frauds - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

December 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, As the holidays are rapidly approaching the Ridgewood Police Department would like wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season. The Ridgewood Police would also like to warn residents of the increased amount of Thefts, Identity Thefts and Frauds during the holidays. A common scam the Ridgewood Police have become alert to involves Amazon.com. The Fraud Watch Network through AARP has provided a bulletin for awareness for Holiday Shoppers. See possibilities.aarp.org for more information.

Here are three recent examples:

On December 18, a Highland Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report being the victim of a Theft by Deception. The victim reported he received a phone call from an anonymous caller on December 17, who reported a family member had been arrested in Smithfield, Rhode Island and was in need of bail money. The caller advised the victim to contact the “Public Defender,” “Bernie Wall,” to arrange bail. The victim reported he made contact with “Mr. Wall” and then wired $1500 to a Walmart in Warwick, Rhode Island and later discovered the caller created a false impression of arrest.

Ptl. Kyle Monton responded to Garfield Place to investigate a Theft of Impersonation on December 15. Upon arrival the resident reported they were the victim of identity theft. The victim reported receiving a letter in the mail containing an Amazon Rewards credit card with her name on it and immediately contacted Chase Bank to cancel the card. Chase Bank reported there was no balance on the card.

A Linwood Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters on December 16, to report Identity Theft. The victim reported an unknown person opened a T-Mobile account without authorization utilizing the victim’s social security number. T-Mobile is reported to be investigating the incident