Dick’s Sporting Goods Employee Accused of $34K Return Fraud Scheme

A Stroudsburg Dick’s Sporting Goods employee is accused of running a return fraud scheme that cost the company more than $34,000, 28/22 News reported Friday.

The Charges. Melquan Hall, 29, faces corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds and organized retail theft charges, along with other related charges, according to 28/22 News. Police say he did it while working at the Dick’s in Stroudsburg. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

How Police Say It Worked. The investigation began in May, when managers flagged multiple returns. Police say further investigation showed Hall was using multiple credit cards that did not belong to him to place orders. Detectives say the evidence suggests he got the cards outside the company, bought merchandise and had it shipped to himself in Pennsylvania, or to addresses in North Carolina, Texas and New York.

Some of those orders were then returned to Dick’s stores in all four states, police say, and the returns were swapped for store credit loaded onto gift cards. Investigators say Hall then used the gift cards to buy items at Dick’s locations in Pennsylvania and New York.

The Bottom Line. The total loss was $34,473.72, according to police. The losses were charged back to Dick’s, making the company the victim.

What We Don’t Know. The report does not name the police department or say when Hall is due in court. We’ll update you when we find out.