Online Bank Account Frauds Reported In Manalapan

MANALAPAN, NJ — The Manalapan Township report of police activity shows several instances of unauthorized online transfers of money:

• Oct. 18: An 18-year-old Manalapan resident reported that someone gained access to an online banking account and transferred $1,059.30.
• Oct. 18: A 69-year-old Manalapan resident reported that someone withdrew $4,062.41 from the resident's bank account.
• Oct. 17: A 68-year-old Freehold resident reported that someone fraudulently withdrew $14,000 from a business bank account.
• Oct. 16: A 53-year-old Manalapan resident reported that someone gained access to an online banking account and fraudulently transferred $9,220.
• Oct. 16: A 55-year-old Manalapan resident reported that someone made fraudulent purchases using the victim’s credit card information in an undetermined amount.

All incidents are being investigated by the Police Department.

Deputy Chief Leonard Maltese said the most important step in protecting your accounts would be not to provide any personal information via telephone or the internet.

The department also has links to information through the police website at: https://www.manalapanpolice.org/identity-theft/.

Bank of America offers some tips on keeping your bank accounts safe:

• Create the strongest possible passwords as a defense against hackers.
• Allow alerts of suspicious activity on your phones.
• Protect your devices by keeping them up to date with the latest browsers and operating systems.
• Enable biometrics (fingerprint sign-on or facial recognition).
• Know which third parties have access to your account information.

Maltese also recommends the FTC.gov tab for “Advice and Guidance" and Identitytheft.gov, especially if someone has already been the victim of identity theft.