More than $600K of counterfeit dolls seized at Canadian border
U.S. border authorities at the International Falls, Minnesota, port of entry discovered $600,000 worth of counterfeit dolls in a rail container. Officers seized 60,180 mermaid and fashion dolls in June after an inspection revealed copyright protected markings on them, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The counterfeit merchandise had a suggested retail price of $601,198. “The enforcement of trade laws at U.S. ports of entry remains a high priority for us,” Anthony Jackson, International Falls port director, said in the release. Jackson said counterfeiting harms consumers because manufacturers of forged products have little motivation to use safe, high-quality materials. [Source: Duluth News Tribune]
Suspect stole retailer’s trailer full of merchandise
Walmart and other retail stores have dealt with shoplifters for years. But this was retail theft on a massive scale. Indiana police arrested a Tennessee man and charged him with stealing a Walmart trailer full of merchandise, WNDU reported. Josephvon Johnson, 42, of Jackson, Tennessee, was arrested in Mishawaka, Indiana, and charged with stealing a Walmart trailer from a store in Lansing, Illinois, WNDU reported. Several people were unloading the trailer and bringing the goods into a residence, police said. Walmart workers were dispatched to the home to reclaim the lost inventory, WXIN reported. The case is under review by the Saint Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. [Source: WSBTV2 News]
Another retailer warns customers of online data breach
Macy’s is warning customers that the retailer discovered a cyber threat that targeted customer profiles for almost two months. According to a letter mailed to macys.com customers this week, Macy’s cyber threat alert tools detected suspicious login activities on June 11. A third party, who the retailer said obtained the information from a source other than Macy’s, was doing this “suspicious activity”. From April 26 to June 12, the third party was using valid usernames and passwords to gain access to the customers’ accounts. On June 12, Macy’s blocked the profiles that seemed to be breached by the third party.
A macys.com customer account will remain blocked until the customer changes the password associated with the profile, according to the letter. You should’ve received an email notifying you that your profile was blocked. If you didn’t receive an email, Macy’s said to check your junk folder for an email with the subject line “Important information about your Macy’s online profile.” If you can’t find the email, Macy’s said that your profile still may be blocked and to change the password anyway.
After logging in, the unauthorized party was able to access the customer’s full name, address, phone number, email address, birthday and debit or credit card number with expiration dates. Macy’s said macys.com accounts do not include CVV numbers that appear on the backs of credit cards or Social Security numbers.
In the letter, the company said customers should “remain vigilant” for fraud and identity theft. They also suggested that customers contact their debit or credit card companies to tell them about the data breach. Macy’s also said it strongly encourages customers to change the password for any online account for which you used the same username and password as your macys.com account. Because the third party got the information from a source other than Macy’s, that information still could be available. The retailer also said it arranged to have AllClear ID provide a year of free identity protection to affected customers. [Source: WKYC3 News]
Employee arrested on theft charges
An employee of JCPenney at Post Oak mall in College Station was arrested Wednesday on accusations she stole nearly $900 from her employer. According to College Station, Texas, police in early March an officer was called to the store where an asset protection specialist for the store requested the officer speak with a 22-year-old woman. The specialist explained that he had examined transaction documents, which revealed the employee had been putting store money on her own credit card. Police said the woman would write down the transaction number of a customer’s purchase, then later enter the purchase information in the store computer and list it as a return. She would then collect the money from the return for herself, authorities said. Police said the woman admitted she had done this over the course of four days, taking about $887 from the store. A warrant was later administered for her arrest, and she was taken into custody this week. The woman is charged with theft of more than $750, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and $4,000 in fines. She was released from the Brazos County Jail on $4,000 bond. [Source: The Eagle]
Three accused of taking thousands worth of merchandise
According to police, three people are facing charges after being accused of taking thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Kohl’s in Paducah, Kentucky on Friday. Whitney L, Morgan, 22, and Teesheona Williams, 19, of Paducah were taken into custody on felony theft by shoplifting charges. A 17-year-old juvenile was taken into custody on a charge of felony theft by shoplifting. Store loss prevention associates reported the trio was hiding the items and trying to leave the store without paying reportedly saw the three. Loss prevention called police after they were seen on tape reportedly concealing items throughout the store in bags and shopping carts. One of the three left the store in a vehicle with no registration. The other two were stopped as they passed the theft detectors. The merchandise was valued at more than $3,500. Morgan and Williams were booked into the county jail. The teenager was released to her guardian after being cited. [Source: KFVS12 News]
Two in getaway vehicle try to run down LP associate after $132 theft
One person has been arrested and another is being sought after the pair tried to run down a loss prevention associate following a theft at the Walmart in Secaucus, New Jersey, authorities said. Blanca Menendez, 57, of Union City, and an accomplice stole $132 worth of baby clothing from the store on June 13, Secaucus Police Capt. Dennis Miller said. The getaway vehicle, driven by the man being sought, was seen on surveillance footage as targeting the store security officers, Miller said. The surveillance video also captured an image of the license plate, and police eventually found the getaway vehicle in Union City. On June 21 Menendez surrendered at Secaucus police headquarters and she was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robber and hindering apprehension, Miller said. [Source: NJ.com]