In a holiday heist straight out of a crime drama, a woman posing as a patient allegedly walked into InSight EyeCare in Houston’s Fairbanks neighborhood on Monday and walked out with thousands of dollars meant for employee Christmas bonuses. Staff say the woman also made off with the clinic owner’s wallet and watch, and the theft only came to light when fraud alerts started lighting up the doctor’s phone.
How Police Say The Scam Played Out
Security footage shows the woman arriving at the northwest Houston optometry clinic around 2 p.m., telling staff she wanted to book an appointment for a sister who was moving to town. She then asked to use the restroom. Cameras later captured her roaming the hallway, peeking into exam rooms, and slipping into the private office of clinic owner Dr. Victoria Glickman-Pham.
Dr. Glickman-Pham had withdrawn cash that morning to hand out as holiday bonuses to her team. After the woman left, the doctor began receiving fraud alerts and noticed unauthorized charges on her account. As reported by KPRC Click2Houston, the Houston Police Department is now investigating the theft.
Staff Left Shaken, Doctor Vows To Replace Bonuses
Dr. Glickman-Pham told reporters she felt “violated” and “super anxious” after realizing what had happened. Technician Gabriela Urda said watching the security video left the team feeling disgusted and unsafe, knowing the suspect had wandered so freely through their workplace.
The practice reported roughly $3,500 in unauthorized charges on the doctor’s card following the incident. In a video segment, KPRC Click2Houston quotes Dr. Glickman-Pham as saying she is determined to find a way to still get her staff their holiday bonuses, despite the loss.
The Clinic At The Center Of The Heist
InSight EyeCare is an optometry clinic in the Fairbanks area of northwest Houston. The practice’s online team page lists Dr. Victoria Glickman as a provider, and the site confirms the clinic’s identity and location involved in the case. According to its website, InSight EyeCare offers comprehensive eye care services to local patients.
Tips To Protect Your Business And Your Wallet
Security experts often recommend that businesses limit large cash withdrawals, keep private offices locked, and store any payroll or bonus funds in a safe as soon as they arrive on-site. For individuals, if a wallet or card goes missing, the standard playbook is to contact your bank immediately, place fraud alerts with the credit bureaus, and document everything.
Victims of theft or fraud can also file a report and get a step-by-step recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov, a federal resource that helps track disputes and provides official documentation.
The Houston Police Department is handling the investigation, and InSight EyeCare is asking anyone with information to contact HPD or the clinic directly. The practice says it plans to make employees whole while officers work to track down the suspect.
