Police news.
Last month, Collegeville Borough Police issued a warning about a new cell phone theft scheme involving FedEx and AT&T phones on the rise, and it has now started to affect residents in Lower Providence Township.
Police said via Facebook they have seen a "recent uptick" in thefts of mobile phone deliveries from mobile carriers in the township.
Police advised for anyone ordering a cellular device from their mobile carrier to require a signature upon delivery or ship the device to the carrier's local store to be picked up in person.
Collegeville Police said there have also been reports of residents receiving packages containing smartphones that were delivered to someone not residing at the address. In those cases, police said, the packages were likely taken by one of the thieves that had them fraudulently delivered to the wrong address, with the resident not turning the package over to police.
A common thread in the thefts, according to authorities, is the use of FedEx packages and AT&T phones.
Police are investigating the incidents. Scammers have also been known to steal FedEx shipping numbers to track deliveries.
