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Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | 7:03 a.m.

Updated: 8:46 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 | Posted: 7:54 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009

Police Look Into Identity Theft Crime Spree

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. —

Johnstown police are investigating a case of identity theft. There are potentially dozens upon dozens of victims, and investigators said it all can be traced back to one local telemarketer.

When you order something over the phone you often give your credit card number to someone at a call center. They are supposed to destroy that information later, but according to Johnstown police, that didn't happen in this case.

Police said Charwan Wood has been taking people's credit card numbers and buying everything from clothes to alcohol for himself. Wood works for a local telemarketing company that is often used by large companies to have customers place phone orders.

According to investigators, Wood wrote down the credit card numbers on scrap pieces of paper, took them home and then used them to order items online and from local stores. Several of the purchases were made at Perfection Beverage on Ash St. in Johnstown. Police said Wood had beer and the other items delivered to his home on Adams St. Police said it was going on for months, from November to January.

While charges have been filed on behalf on two victims, police said to expect many more. The call center is subcontracted by businesses nationwide. The first identity theft victim is from Louisiana. The other victim is from Chicago, IL. According to police, it's just the beginning.

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