Cheltenham police warn residents of virtual prepaid card scam, Lower Moreland police warn residents of uptick in thefts from and of vehicles

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January 9th, 2025 | By Ryan Genova

The Cheltenham Township Police Department is warning area residents about a virtual prepaid card scam.

According to their announcement, the department has received calls over the past few weeks regarding emails sent to residents which claim that they have received a virtual prepaid card from Verizon.

“This is a common phishing scam and should be ignored and deleted,” the department said. “The purpose is to try and get your personal information.”

The email contains the person’s name. The email being sent is shown below:

You’ve Received a Virtual Prepaid Card! $14.81

You have received a Virtual Prepaid Mastercard® worth $14.81 as your Verizon Administrative settlement payment. Please follow the directions below to redeem your payment. You can spend these funds online anywhere Mastercard is accepted or add to a digital wallet and use it with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.

If you have any remaining balance after 24 months, you may request that a new card with the remaining balance be re-issued to you. If you use your original or reactivated prepaid card at least once every twelve months, you will avoid any inactivity fees. If your card is inactive for twelve consecutive months, a $0.95 fee will be subtracted from your balance for each month thereafter of continued inactivity.

To activate and use your card, please click the REDEEM VIRTUAL CARD button below. After you redeem your card, you may use your card online wherever Mastercard is accepted, add it to a digital wallet and use it with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay (or in stores that accept mobile wallet Debit Mastercard), or follow the instructions on the Card Details page at MyPrepaidCenter (using the website link below) for assistance with alternative payment options.

In related news, the Lower Moreland Township Police Department is warning residents of an uptick in thefts from and of vehicles.

“We responded to more theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles overnight last night,” police said. “Our investigations have revealed that many vehicles were left unlocked or had the keys left inside.”

The department offers the following tips: 

  • DO NOT LEAVE your vehicle’s key in the vehicle (overnight or while warming it up in the morning); 
  • Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
  • Park in well-lit areas if possible.
  • Add additional lighting and/or cameras around your home as a deterrent.
  • NEVER leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside the vehicle.

If you received any alerts or have any video you believe would help police with these types of investigations, please call the station at 215-947-3132.

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