Fraud by Text, a Burglary, Vandalism and More Fraud

Burglary on Turkey Roost

A Turkey Roost Road resident came home from work at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 27, and did not notice evidence of a burglary until he went to bed at 11:30 that night, according to police, who said a jewelry box was missing from the master bedroom and several drawers were open.

When the man went into his son's room, he found his things on the floor and that a change jar was missing, according to the report.

Police said the homeowner did not report the incident until 6:41 the next morning because he wanted to talk to family members first to ensure it was a burglary. Police believe entry had been made through a living room window in front of the house.

No value was given for what was stolen and police said the family is still taking an inventory of their belongings. The incident is under investigation.

A Case of Identity Theft

A Stone Hedge Lane woman told police Sept. 27 that Verizon Wireless contacted her to confirm a request to change the email address on her account and that she said she had not changed it. The company also told her someone had attempted to order a phone and charge it to her account — shipping it to Stone Mountain, Ga., police said.

The company was able to cancel the order at no cost to the victim and she had her account flagged so she could be notified whenever there is an inquiry or charge to her account, according to the report.

Police said Verizon contacted the woman at 9 p.m. and told her someone called attempting to gain the tracking number for the order that was placed. When Verizon asked the caller a security question agreed upon with the victim, police said the caller hung up.

Monroe police contacted the Stone Mountain Police Department, who told them they had no history for the address, but will be watching, according to police.

Lt. Brian McCauley said anytime something like this happens, the victims should check the credit bureaus and all of their accounts.

Fraud by Text

A 42-year-old Walnut Street man told police on Sept. 24 that he received a text informing him that he won a $1,000 Best Buy gift certificate. He was given claim code number and directed to the website bestbuywin.net, but before he could receive his prize, police said he was told he had to make an online purchase from the site.

The man used a credit card and when it didn't go through, he used another card. The resident caught on that it was a scam and immediately called Life Lock, then police to report it, police said.

Police Lt. Brian McCauley cautioned that if something sounds too good to be true, if you are notified of a prize from a lottery or contest that you did not enter or receive an unsolicited email, never to give out personal information. In the case of the "Best Buy" text, he said one could call the company to find out if there is any sort of promotion.

Mailbox Vandal(s) are at it Again

A Pondview Road couple told police that they have had lost a mailbox every year before the vandalism stopped 10 years ago, but then on Sept. 28 they found that their mailbox and post had been knocked over.

Police believe the vandalism occured the day before. No estimated value was given for the damage.

Lost & Found

A Northbrook Condominiums resident told police she found a bag under a set of mailboxes at 6:47 a.m. on Sept. 30. Officers found it contained instruction manuals for AT&T U-Verse and electrical tools.

Police said they contacted company, who returned the bag to its grateful employee.