Dear Residents,
Have you ever been a victim of credit card fraud? It’s not a good feeling seeing charges on your account that you know you didn’t make.
Recently, we have had several reports of Upper Macungie residents having packages delivered to their doorstep that were not ordered by the resident. In these cases, the package had the resident’s address on the box, but a different name listed as the recipient. After the package was delivered, the resident was either contacted by note or in person by an unknown subject, claiming that the package was his, and that there was a mistake in delivery (or a similar variation).
The residents who called us recognized something didn’t seem right about the situation. The people involved with this type of fraud are thieves. After obtaining sensitive information such as victim names and credit card information, the suspect orders merchandise and has it sent to a separate location where they can pick up the item(s), typically without being seen. Suspects don’t want to interact with the homeowner, and they don’t want to be seen. In the Upper Macungie incidents, the suspects didn’t do a good job of scooping up the stolen goods fast enough. Many times, however, the suspect is successful in swooping in and disappearing with the items. When the police follow the trail of the stolen merchandise to the home where it was delivered, they are met by a homeowner who doesn’t know anything about the transaction or any package being delivered at their doorstep.
If you find yourself in a situation where you receive a package that is delivered to your address but has a different name listed as the recipient (one you don't recognize), call us. We’ll be happy to send an officer to your home to do some follow-up investigation on the source of the item, and hopefully, catch the bad guy who is responsible for the theft.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding this message, and thanks again for subscribing to Nixle. You can also find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LtPeteNickischer. Please say hello!
Stay safe!
Lt. Peter Nickischer
UMTPD Crime and Community Services Division Commander
