Victims report identity theft after fraudulent tax returns filed

A Mountain Brook resident in the 100 block of Cross Creek Drive reported being the victim of identity theft, according to the March 24 Mountain Brook Police Department community update.

The victim reported that between Jan. 11 and March 18, money was transferred from their account without permission, lines of credit were opened and a fraudulent tax return was filed with their information.

A victim in the 3900 block of Forest Glen Drive reported a fraudulent tax return was filed in their name between Jan. 11 and Feb. 18.

These two were not the only victims who reported identity theft, according to MBPD. One victim reported an unauthorized charge was made on their credit card on March 15. The charge was made at Cato’s in Anniston, according to police.

A fourth victim of identity theft reported their identity was used to obtain three loans from Speedy Cash. The incident occurred between March 11 and March 12, according to police.

Police also reported five property thefts in the March 24 community update. One victim reported two iron urns were stolen from her yard on March 22. Another reported his car tag was stolen between March 19 and March 22.

Between March 9 and March 18, a pistol, iPad and prescription bills were reportedly taken from a residence on Fairway Drive.

The other two property thefts were reported in Brookwood Village. Clothing was reportedly shoplifted from a store on March 18, and another retail establishment reported electronic equipment was stolen between March 18 and March 19.

Multiple hit and runs were reported last week, including two on U.S. 280. On March 19, a white pickup reportedly struck a Honda Accord in the rear on U.S. 280 at Rocky Ridge Road and fled the scene.

On March 21, a vehicle changed lanes and hit another car on U.S. 280 at Cherokee. Patrol officers reportedly caught the suspect down the road.

A third hit and run was reported by the offender, according to police. On March 18, a vehicle backing out of a parking space hit a parked vehicle and left the scene, according to police. The incident occurred in the 3700 block of Fairway Drive.

Also in the community update:

• A victim reported an individual asked her for $20 on March 19 and when she replied she didn’t have it, the individual struck her. The incident occurred in the 2700 block of Culver Road.
• On March 20, a person made 18 harassing phone calls to an establishment in the 10 block of Oak Street, according to police. The person was a known individual, police report, and the incident was categorized as harassing communications.
• A moped was reported stolen in the 3800 block of Montclair Road. The incident occurred on March 18, and the suspect was described as a black male driving a white suburban, according to police.
• Police stopped a vehicle displaying a stolen tag on Oakdale Drive at Bethune Drive on March 22. The driver was arrested for non-possession of an ex-felon card, according to police, and was found in possession of narcotics.