Upsurge in stolen mail fuelling card fraud & ID theft

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Residents of apartment blocks and flats are being warned that they are a target for criminals stealing mail from letter boxes in order to commit card fraud and ID theft.

The intelligence comes from Financial Fraud Action UK’s fraud intelligence bureau, which has reported a spike in cases over recent weeks. Known by its technical name, ‘mail non-receipt’ fraud has increased 10 per cent to £5.0 million, in the first half of 2014.

The scam involves criminals gaining access to blocks of flats and stealing mail from communal letter boxes which can be broken, unlocked or sometimes never used at all, as mail is simply placed at the entrance door.

The criminals commit different frauds depending on the nature of the personal information they have managed to steal. Documents and mail containing personal and financial information are particularly valuable to fraudsters and those containing debit and credit cards can be used to fraudulently buy high-end goods or withdraw cash. Cheque books can also be stolen and used to make fraudulent transactions.

Even when fraudsters fail to get their hands on documents containing financial information, there is still a treasure trove of information they can exploit. Some may steal utility bills that are then used to commit ID theft or to make bogus loan claims. Even the most basic of personal data can be used – for instance phone scammers who impersonate the police or bank are able to make their calls more convincing by using the information gleaned from stolen documents.

FFA UK is providing the following advice to consumers to avoid falling victim to this crime:
• Make sure your letterbox, or the place where your mail is left for you, is secure and cannot be accessed by anyone else. Report any damage to your landlord or letting agent immediately.
• Don’t leave mail uncollected for long periods of time – pick it up as regularly as possible.
• If you are changing your address make sure you tell your bank, card issuer and other important organisations that you deal with immediately.
• If you are not going to be able to pick up your mail for a few days, ensure that someone trustworthy can collect it instead, or consider using a mail collection service.
• Know the dates you are due to receive bills and bank statements, and where possible receive these documents electronically.
• If your bank offers the option, consider picking up new cards or chequebooks in person.
• On moving house, use a mail redirection service.
• If you suspect your mail has been stolen, contact the sender immediately and Royal Mail.

Banks themselves have in place measures to minimise the risk of key documents being intercepted, by for example using unmarked letters or packaging envelopes so that it is not obvious a card is inside. In addition, banks work closely with the Royal Mail to identify problem hotspots, so they can deploy different strategies for sending out cards.

Katy Worobec, Director of Financial Fraud Action UK, said:
“Letters and packages can be a key source of information for criminals aiming to defraud you, so make sure your mail collection points are as secure as they can be. Documents containing personal or financial information are of particular value to fraudsters, so keep a special look out if you’re expecting to receive something important.

If you move house or flat, make a point of changing your address details as soon as possible with your bank, and other important organisations, to ensure sensitive mail doesn’t fall in to the wrong hands.”

The latest intelligence suggests that areas currently affected by mail theft for the purposes of fraud are Manchester, Twickenham, Harrow and Bromley.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The latest intelligence suggests that areas currently affected by mail theft for the purposes of fraud are Manchester, Twickenham, Harrow and Bromley.

I wonder if some of the postman in those areas are whistling

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Scam warning: Flat residents told to secure communal letterboxes following a spike in stolen mail to fuel ID theft
Hotspots currently include Manchester, Twickenham, Harrow and Bromley
Stolen documents can be used by phone scammers to make fake phone calls sound more plausible
Scam involves criminals stealing post from communal letterboxes

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People living in flats and apartment blocks must make sure communal letterboxes are secure following a spike in stolen mail, a fraud prevention unit has warned.
Mail theft fraud has increased by ten per cent to £5.0million in the first half of 2014 and residents of flats are particular targets.
The scam involves criminals gaining access to blocks of flats and stealing mail from communal letter boxes which can be broken or unlocked, or from a pile near the entrance door, according to Financial Fraud Action UK.
Danger: People living in flats are being advised to make sure their post is secure so they don't fall victim to ID fraud
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Danger: People living in flats are being advised to make sure their post is secure so they don't fall victim to ID fraud
Criminals then commit different types of fraud depending on what information they are able to get their hands on.
Hotspots for this type of fraud currently includes Manchester, Twickenham, Harrow and Bromley.

Mail containing personal and financial information is particularly valuable to fraudsters.

Letters containing debit and credit cards can be used to buy high-end goods or withdraw cash.

Stolen cheque books can also be used to make fraudulent transactions.

But any documents containing financial information can be exploited. Phone scammers who impersonate the police or bank are able to make their calls sound much more convincing by using information gleaned from stolen documents.

Banks take precautions to minimise the risk of documents being intercepted, for example using unmarked envelopes when sending out a bank card or pin.
They are also working with Royal Mail to identify problem hotspots so they can use different strategies for mailing out cards.

Katy Worobec, Director of Financial Fraud Action UK, said: 'Letters and packages can be a key source of information for criminals aiming to defraud you, so make sure your mail collection points are as secure as they can be. Documents containing personal or financial information are of particular value to fraudsters, so keep a special look out if you're expecting to receive something important.

'If you move house or flat, make a point of changing your address details as soon as possible with your bank, and other important organisations, to ensure sensitive mail doesn't fall in to the wrong hands.'