Change Of Address Scam Could Lead To Theft Of All Your Mail

(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON) – Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to advise the public to pay attention to a change of address scam that has been reported. There have been two cases reported to OPP within Sault Ste. Marie outlying areas.

This type of postal fraud is used as a form of identity theft. A crook changes your address online so that all your mail gets diverted to them, most commonly a P.O. Box. They can then steal whatever information they need before the victim notices something is wrong. They then begin obtaining online applications for credit cards with the victim’s identity and arrange for the credit card bills taken out in the victim’s name to go to another address.

Here are some tips to help protect your identity and your mail:

Pick-up mail as soon as possible after delivery. Deposit your mail as close to scheduled pick up time as possible. Do not leave mail overnight in the mailbox.

Do not discard mail with your personal information on it in the recycling box.

If you are planning a holiday, arrange for someone to pick up your mail or use hold mail service.

Do not leave mail in unprotected area. If the mail has been delivered incorrectly, please write, delivered to wrong address” on the front of the envelope. If addressed to someone not living at your address

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.