State police probe credit-card fraud scheme targeting Delco seniors

Pennsylvania State Police in Media are investigating a swath of related incidents in which fraudsters convinced elderly victims in Delaware County to hand over their credit cards.

In the 23 cases being investigated by state police, victims first receive a call from someone claiming to be from their bank’s fraud department. While using personal information about the victim to appear legitimate, the person on the phone tells the victim that there have been fraudulent charges on their account and instructs the victim to provide their compromised card to a courier.

A ride-share driver — typically Uber — then arrives at the victim’s residence to pick up the supposedly compromised credit card and delivers the card to the people who orchestrated the fraud. Those people then use the credit card to make various purchases, “mainly at Apple Stores, and businesses that sell Apple Gift Cards, such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Walmart,” according to the state police.

Both Citadel Credit Union and Tru Mark Financial Credit Union in Pennsylvania have been affected by the fraudulent schemes, and investigators are also aware of TD Bank customers in New Jersey who have been targeted.

To avoid becoming a victim of this fraudulent scheme, police say individuals should always independently confirm any request for information from their financial institution — and be aware that no bank or credit union will ever ask for a credit card to be given to a courier. Police also advised anyone who is concerned about suspicious activity to call their financial institution’s fraud department and/or law enforcement.