Feb. 22--Multiple reports of identity theft were filed in Wheaton between Feb. 10 and Feb. 18, police said.
According to one report, an unknown individual or individuals purchased a television for an undisclosed amount of money by using the victim's information. That incident allegedly occurred sometime between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30.
On Feb. 13 a resident informed police that a Verizon account was compromised by an unknown individual, while another resident reported Feb. 10 that a PayPal credit card account was fraudulently opened in his name.
In addition to the reports of identity theft, there was a report of an individual claiming to be a representative of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and informing a resident he must send an undisclosed amount of money or be subject to an investigation by the IRS.
Like reports of identity theft, this is not an uncommon scam that has been reported in Wheaton. The Wheaton police have issued alerts about this type of scam. In the alert, police said the IRS typically initiates contact via U.S. Postal Service, as opposed to a telephone call. Police also said the IRS does not ask for send payment through a wire transfer.
Alex Keown is a freelance reporter.
