SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A Mahanoy City woman is facing eight criminal charges after Schuylkill Haven police alleged she used another person’s debit card information to make five unauthorized purchases totaling $249.35.
Crystal M. Serfass, 42, is charged with five felony counts of identity theft and one misdemeanor count each of unauthorized use of an access device issued to another person, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking.
Unauthorized Debit Card Transactions Reported
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Schuylkill Haven Police, the investigation began on , when a woman reported unauthorized transactions involving her M&T Bank debit card.
The woman told police that the bank contacted her on to review recent purchases. She confirmed transactions she had made at two local restaurants but said she had not authorized several other charges.
Police identified five disputed purchases, including an $80.08 gasoline purchase, three purchases associated with booksellers and another online purchase. The affidavit also describes two declined transactions.
Gasoline Purchase Traced to Schuylkill Haven
Police traced the gasoline purchase to the Fast Fill station at 356 Center Avenue in Schuylkill Haven.
According to the affidavit, store employees located a transaction matching the amount at approximately 7:46 p.m. on . Surveillance footage reportedly showed a woman fueling a vehicle at the same pump.
Police said the vehicle’s appearance, the woman’s hairstyle and clothing, and a vehicle-registration check helped investigators identify Serfass as the suspect. The bank reported that the gasoline purchase had been made using a contactless payment method, according to the affidavit.
Police Allege Payment Information Was Stored on Phone
Police later spoke with Serfass at her workplace. Investigators allege she admitted making the gasoline purchase and the four other disputed transactions using payment information stored on a cellphone.
According to the affidavit, Serfass told police the phone belonged to her son, who was incarcerated in Florida, and that she had kept it because it remained on her phone plan. She reportedly said some of the purchases were books for him.
Police allege Serfass acknowledged being unsure whether the stored payment information was legitimate and said she would repay the woman. The affidavit states that she declined a request to provide a written statement and participate in another interview.
Preliminary Hearing Scheduled
The criminal complaint was filed on . A preliminary hearing is scheduled for before Magisterial District Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek.
All charges are allegations. Serfass is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.