Police Arrest Couple in Regional Theft Ring
Thanks to the help of area merchants, Harding Police were able to arrest a couple who operated a theft ring that stole credit and bank card numbers of many unsuspecting Harding residents.
Trudy Pence, 33, a nurse, and her husband Olav, 37, a manager of an area pizzeria, were caught with the numbers of hundreds of bank cards and had spent well over a million dollars on goods and services with other people's money.
Trudy Pence allegedly used the bank cards of ill patients at Harding General Hospital while her husband allegedly copied his customers' numbers down and made fake cards with them.
To: customerservice@pioneerbank.net
From: diane.blaise@myemail.net
Subject: Mysterious purchases
I checked my balance online this morning and discovered three purchases that I don't recognise on my statement.
One was for a subscription to friendlymeet.com for $79.99, another was a purchase at the Office Barn on Arden Blvd. for $312.89, and the last was for a very large pizza order at Heavenly Pizzas for $209.55.
I can assure you that I have not made any of these purchases as I was in the hospital last week. This is also very alarming as these purchases have overdrawn my account and it will be another two weeks until I get paid.
To: diane.blaise@myemail.net
From: fraudinvestigations@pioneerbank.net
Subject: Re: FWD: Mysterious purchases
Thank you for bringing your troubles to our attention. After a careful investigation done by our staff, we can confirm that you did not make the indicated purchases and will refund the money to your account within 24 hours. We will also be waiving any overdraft fees and penalties you may have incurred.
As a security precaution, we will be issuing you a new card which will arrive by secure courier in the next two days.
We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and appreciate your business with us here at Pioneer Bank.
Director of Fraud Prevention Division