Gift Card PIN Scam Costs Manalapan Resident $14K

MANALAPAN, NJ — A township resident is out more than $14,000 in a gift card scam, police reported.

Police said the resident, 59, told police an unknown person defrauded the victim of $14,600 by accessing the pin number to various gift cards via telephone.

Patrolman Marshall Bitsko handled the report.

Another fraud incident involved someone posing as a member of a police department to attempt to defraud a township resident, police reported.

On Nov. 20, the resident, 39, told police that a person purporting to be a member of a police department contacted the victim by telephone and asked them to withdraw $10,000 from their bank account.

The resident didn't take the bait and no money was lost, police said.

Patrolman Peter Pagano handled the report,

The incidents are pending further investigation.

There were also other instances of fraud reported by police:

• Nov. 21: A Manalapan resident, 24, told police a person gained access to an online account and attempted to purchase clothing. The order was subsequently cancelled. Patrolman Anthony Cascella handled the report.
• Nov. 21: A Manalapan resident, 60, reported that an unknown person attempted to unlawfully withdraw $400 from the victim’s bank account. Patrolman Matthew Schwartz handled the report.
• Nov. 21: A Manalapan resident, 81, reported that an unknown person attempted to defraud the victim in the amount of $30,000. Patrolman Aaron Abeles handled the report.
• Nov. 18: A Manalapan resident, 38, told police that an unknown person unlawfully withdrew approximately $270 from their bank account via the internet. Patrolman Matthew Schwartz took the report.
• Nov. 16: A Manalapan resident, 54, told police an unknown person attempted to defraud them of $10,230 during the employment application process on a career-finding website. No monetary loss was reported as a result of this incident. Patrolman Joseph Santomarco handled the incident.