Michigan Planet Fitness Thief is Stealing Members’ Items
You would think that going to workout would be a pretty safe thing to do, but there’s a Michigan Planet Fitness thief who’s been stealing members’ items. I can’t imagine how I would feel going to work out and then finding that a bunch of my stuff from my locker was gone. It’s already not super fun to workout, if you ask me, but having items stolen on top of it would just make it that much worse.
Michigan Planet Fitness Thief
A Michigan man as been stealing items from multiple lockers at Planet Fitness. Cops have been trying to find the Michigan Planet Fitness thief for a while, and he’s caused quite a stir at this local Planet Fitness. As I mentioned above, I can’t imagine having to worry about having items stolen during my workout routines.
Thankfully, the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office in the Lansing area has announced that they’re arrested a man in conjunction with these thefts. As it turns out, the Michigan Planet Fitness thief is a 41-year-old man from Marquette, and he’s now behind bars for stealing from lockers at the Planet Fitness located at 2380 Cedar St. in Delhi Township, near Lansing. My first thought is, how does someone all the way from Marquette get to Lansing to cause this kind of havoc? That’s a lengthy drive. According to the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, seven victims reported their locks had been cut and personal items were stolen out of their lockers. On top of that, one of the victims told authorities that their credit card was stolen and used at a local business. All of the reported thefts took place on Sunday (July 7) around 7:30 p.m. at the Delhi Township gym.
In a press release, the sheriff’s office announced that deputies were able to find the suspect after responding to fraudulent transactions that were taking place in the area. Officials found the suspect at a local business on the south side of Lansing. When he was arrested, he actually had stolen property in possession. The man is currently lodged at the Ingham County Jail and waiting his arraignment for a variety of charges, including larceny in a building and illegal use of a financial transaction device. So, you can rest easy knowing that your fitness routine shouldn’t get disrupted by someone stealing personal items at your local Planet Fitness. Keep reading for tips on how to avoid being scammed with the latest scams going around. Reach out to me with your thoughts, too.
You Should Know These New Scams That Are Trending
Watch out for the new 'check cooking scam'
The AARP warns of a new scam called the “check cooking scam.” The AARP states, “In check cooking, thieves take a digital picture of a stolen check and then use commercially available software to alter it.” It can look super real, but it’s fake. So, how do you stay safe? “Consider using a safer payment method, such as a credit card,” they suggest.
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Look out for the 'delayed-action sweepstakes scam'
The AARP states also warns of a new sweepstakes scam where “instead of trying to get you to pay taxes or other fees in advance to collect the nonexistent prize, the scammers will ask for personal information so that they can validate you and set up the payout.” Just say no.
Getty Images / Torsten Asmus
Watch out for AI-powered scams
These days, AI scams are big. Experian.com says today, scammers use technology to “write more convincing and natural-sounding phishing emails and text messages.” They can also “Impersonate the victim’s friend or relative and ask for money as part of a grandparent scam.” It’s scary stuff. Beware of anything that sounds too crazy, as these can often seem far-fetched, but AI makes them look real.
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Beware of student loan forgiveness scams
Experian.com says that student loan forgiveness scams are on the rise. They note that, “scammers may contact you via phone or create phony application sites aimed at stealing your Social Security number or your bank account information.” Don’t give out your information. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
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Look out for the Paris Olympics scam
This one is really wild. With the games on the way, scammers can use the games to scam you. The AARP states, “A scammer hacks someone’s email account, and shortly after, all of that person’s contacts will receive the same message — something to the effect of, ‘Hey guys, I’m over in Paris and my wallet got stolen! Can anyone please help me out by sending gift cards or a Venmo deposit?”
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The best way to avoid scams
Whether the scam is new or old, the best way to avoid it is to stop and think about what’s happening. These scam artists are super good at what they do, but if you just stop for a moment and really think out any actions, you can avoid making a rash decision that could cost you.
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