Hacked Phone Scam Costs Resident $10K: Newtown Twp. Police Report

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department reported the following incidents between Oct. 6 and Oct. 9:

October 6

• At approximately 11:15 a.m. police were dispatched for a theft of wire that occurred in Newtown Township. The investigation remains ongoing.

October 7

• A Newtown Township resident stopped at police headquarters at 11:15 a.m. to report that she was the victim of fraud. She had received a text from someone advising that her phone had been hacked. She called the phone number listed to resolve the matter and was instructed to purchase several gift cards from various locations. The total value of loss was approximately $10,500. The investigation is ongoing.

October 8

• A Newtown Township resident contacted police shortly before 6 p.m. to report a scam. The resident explained that he had received a phone call from someone who identified himself as “Sgt. White with the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office.” “Sgt. White” told the resident that he missed court and that he needed to buy $3,000 worth of gift cards or a warrant would be issued for his arrest. The resident eventually realized it was a scam. Police remind everyone to be aware of common fraudster techniques - if someone asks you to wire-transfer money or put money on a gift card and give them the gift card information, stop. Never pay someone with a gift card over the phone. Gift cards are for gifts and should not be used to give money to scammers.

October 9

• At approximately 1:45 p.m., the Newtown Township Police responded to a business for the report of a retail theft. The incident is under investigation.
• At approximately 2:40 p.m., a Wrightstown resident reported the theft of copper wire from utility poles in the area of their property.