Stolen card was used in Saudi calls

The unauthorized calls were made to a suburb of Washington, D.C.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BAZETTA -- The FBI has been asked to look into allegations that someone stole a township woman's calling card and made calls from Saudi Arabia to Alexandria, Va.
Police Chief Robert Jacola said that in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he believes the matter should be investigated.
"I don't know, maybe it is just a coincidence, but I don't think we can just ignore it," Jacola said. "I called the FBI and turned over the report to them."
FBI officials could not be reached to comment.
What happened: Jacola said the woman, a retiree, traveled to California in January to visit relatives.
When she got to the Los Angeles airport she used a calling card to call for a ride. She used a First Communications card, Jacola said.
"While she was in California she used the card several times, mostly in Long Beach and Santa Barbara," Jacola said.
"At some point during her trip she started receiving messages that the card is no longer valid and that the card was over the limit."
The woman canceled the card. When she got her bill, she found $110 worth of calls she did not make.
She contacted the calling card company and learned that the calls originated in Saudi Arabia and were made to a number in Alexandria, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.
Charges removed: The company agreed to remove the charges from her bill.
"She didn't think anymore about it until all the attacks," Jacola said. "Anyone who has had something like this happen should contact law enforcement officials. I think this deserves to be checked out."
sinkovich@vindy.com