Abington postal workers accused of identity theft
Abington police have arrested two U.S. Postal Service employees who they say stole customers' credit card numbers and used them to purchase gift cards, aquarium tickets, and other items.
Abington police have arrested two U.S. Postal Service employees who they say stole customers' credit card numbers and used them to purchase gift cards, aquarium tickets, and other items.
Rashaad Schell, 23, and Daryl Matthews, 24, both of Philadelphia, are charged with identity theft, conspiracy, forgery, and related offenses.
They were arraigned Thursday, and bail was set at $75,000 each.
Police say the men used their cellphones to capture photos or videos of customers' credit cards.
At least 25 victims have been identified, and Deputy Chief John A. Livingood said the number "is definitely going to rise."
"We've had some more calls today, as a result of hearing it on the news, saying, 'I think my credit card was used, too,' " Livingood said.
The investigation began in June when three residents reported American Express gift cards worth $1,000 to $2,000 being purchased on their credit cards.
When one of the cards was delivered, a man standing outside the house told the UPS driver that he was the homeowner; the driver did not turn over the package, according to police. In another instance, the man claimed to be a UPS driver and told the homeowner that the package had been delivered by mistake; the homeowner did not hand over the package.
In August, another victim reported that his credit card had been used by someone named Rashaad Schell, according to police. He looked up the name on the Internet and found a photo that he recognized as the postal employee.
All of the alleged victims had used their credit cards at the Abington post office shortly before the unauthorized charges started.
Livingood said that some "associates" of Schell and Matthews might be charged later, but "there is no indication that any other post office employees are involved."
