Tag: crime

At last night’s BACA meeting a few of us were talking and discovered that many of us were contacted by some very possible scammer.
The way it goes is you get a phone call or phone message on your land line supposedly from some Federal Credit Union. I’ve gotten two phone calls and it was never clear what the exact name of the credit union was. The first time I just hung up on it because it clearly wasn’t my credit union so why bother, wrong number. The second time, I had time to kill and was curious, so I pressed one. Then it asked me for my 16 digit account number. Oh heck naw. I hung up.
Apparently no one else picks up their phone so the Phishing Credit Union has been leaving messages for people to call a 1-800 number. Neighbors who have called the fake credit union fearful that their real credit union accounts (the message is a bit garbled on the name) would be frozen have been prompted to put in their account information. Luckily, we’re all bright people and this raises red flags.
I’m sure there is some governmental agency you can contact regarding this scam. Maybe DCRA. Maybe Harry Thomas Jr. Maybe call up your real credit union, warn them too.

UPDATE= Here’s what some local Credit Unions are telling their members”
State Employees Credit Union:

Another incident of phishing!
Below is a text message that was received recently by an actual SECU member. This is an example of a current form of phishing that fraudsters use to obtain account information from unsuspecting account holders. There are many forms that name various financial institutions, phone numbers to contact and types of cards (credit, debit, ATM).
“Notice/ This is an automated message from Bank-Fund Staff F.C.U. Your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call urgent at 1-909-978-6050.”
If you receive this message or a similar message, DO NOT RESPOND! Instead, call SECU at 800-879-7328 to alert our Security and Fraud team.

Pentagon Federal Credit Union:

There is a new phishing scam in progress by phone and SMS text message from 213-596-7693. The message is as follows: “This is an automated message that your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call 1-410-910-0787.”
Once the number is dialed there is a request that the listener press 1 for more information. Pressing 1 transfers to a follow-up request for the account number, PIN, authorization code, etc.
Please remember that we will NEVER contact you by phone or email and ask for your PIN or account information.
This information is personal and confidential to you, our Member, and under no cirumstances would we require this information over the phone, text message or via email.
Thank you.

I type this advice as I remember my last trek home at night I walked alone. I did take a series of buses, and wound up at a point (5 blocks from the house) where I couldn’t mentally justify paying for a cab. I completely acknowledge that it wasn’t my brightest moment.
Tuesday there was a Shaw murder where the victim was walking home. Truxton resident, Durval Martins, was killed at 11th and Q around 3 AM.
If you’re cheap like me you probably loathe spending money for a cab, but if you are going out at night, mentally add cab fare to that night’s expenses. Tuck away $10-$20 bucks before you head out to the clubs or wherever, for cab fare. Seriously, if you’re coming back home in the wee AM hours, be safe and take a cab. The eyes on the street have gone to bed and you’re on your own. Hail a cab. If there are no cabs where you are, get over to a major street and keep a sharp eye out or have the establishment where you’re leaving call the cab for you.

From the 5D listserv:

ATTENTION BLOOMINGDALE, BATES & SHAW COMMUNITIES

THE FIFTH DISTRICT PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THE CAPTURE OF KENNY LEWIS.

Kenny Lewis was wanted for a Felony Assault that occurred on October 16, 2008, in the 400 B/O Q Street, NW. He is also the suspect in several assaults against women & robberies.

Okay now who is the judge we write statements to? Because if Mr. Lewis is found guilty by a jury of 12 DC citizens (or pleads guilty), the community needs to let the sentencing judge know how crimes against women in our neighborhood impact our lives, even though we weren’t the ones assaulted. Rest assured that Mr. Lewis probably has relatives and friends who will argue that he’s really good or misunderstood or deserving of some sort of mercy that will put him back on the streets unrehabilitated.

There was a mugging in the NW corner of the TC this weekend as reported on the TruxtonCircle.Org discussion board. A group of youths violently attacked a couple and their reasoning makes no sense (see below). I’m sorry, I don’t think any under funded city run youth program can redeem these criminals. The unnecessary violence used reveals a deep corruption of spirit, that may reveal a moral poverty in their family life. There are too many kids looking to beat people up. Anyway here’s what was reported…

Around 1 a.m. this am at 4th and Rst, NW Three men and a woman were mugged by a group of at least a dozen youths, some on bikes. The agressors threw the woman against a tree and punched one man in the face. Another one had been struck in the leg.
The group of kids were black, all male, from what I gathered, ages 12-17. The victims described them as “highschoolers.” They approached the victims from several directions, and initially threw a bottle or can over the heads of the victims. The kids wanted their wallets and phones. One of the victims yelled at kid, causing him to run away, without obtaining the wallet. Another kid said this was “for Obama.”

What the….?

WANTED

From the flier from the crime meeting I didn’t go to:

The above subject is wanted for “Felony Assault” warrant number 2008CRW003906 by the Fifth District Detective’s Office. The assault occurred on October 16, 2008 in the 400 block Q Street NW. Please contact Detective Martin at 202 698 0660
IF THE ABOVE SUBJECT IS SEEN DO NOT APPROACH, CALL THE POLICE

Subject’s description- Name: Kenneth Lewis; Year of Birth 1984; Height- 5’09”; Weight-165 lbs

I have no details but when I wandered over there around 8something AM there was a cruiser and a bakery delivery van blocking off the alley. In front there were a couple of the Latino workers, a cop, and a woman with her dog hanging out in front. When I got closer to the entrance I saw a sign saying there wouldn’t be any retail sales today. I asked the Latino guys. There English and my Spanish, not so good. All I got was the word assault out of the whole thing. The cop was busy chatting with the lady with the dog, and I asked if anyone was hurt. No. With that I headed home.

Walking to work this morning the police had most of R Street, from Florida to New Jersey Avenues blocked off. I had to ask as I saw the G2 bus rumbling down 4th St (normally rumbles down 3rd), I was told there was a shooting and they were trying to determine where all the shots came from. Then the officer asked me if I had heard anything. Ah, no. I heard nothing this morning. Did you?
_____________
UPDATE: According to the Washington Post a woman was stabbed at the bus stop at 3rd and R, most likely to catch the G2 heading in the direction of Georgetown. That stop is a little isolated with the high chain link fence fortressing the yard of the house on that corner, and diagonally across the Co-Op’s high fence, and across Mt. Sinai’s education center’s parking lot. Please keep the victim in your thoughts and prayers.