More Colchester residents suffer fraud after mail stolen from communal post boxes

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A FRAUDSTER is targeting flats in north Colchester, according to residents.

People believe dozens of mailboxes may have been targeted by crooks acting in and around Mile End since Christmas.

It is believed the fraudster has been breaking into the flats and targeting the communal mailboxes, removing a few letters.

He then opens new bank accounts with the details.

De Grey Road is just one area which has been targeted.

One resident, of St James’s Place, said: “We have had three bank accounts opened in our name.

“The first we knew about it was when we went to the mailbox and saw a letter telling us we had opened one.

“We believe this man has a device where he can open communal mailboxes.

“This has been going on since the start of the year.

“My neighbour, who had a Debenhams finance account opened in his name, rang 101 and spoke to Essex Police who said it wasn’t anything to do with them.

“We think it’s possible a lot of people have been affected by this. It’s really upsetting and shocking.”

Colchester councillor Martin Goss said he had been making residents aware with leaflets since the start of the year and Essex Police had told people to contact Action Fraud and their banks.

He said: “Unfortunately this has happened before and it looks like it’s returned.

“I understand the police’s response is appropriate considering it gets the bank accounts closed down, but it doesn’t catch the culprit.

“I think it’s quite poor. They should be paying these people a visit.”

Essex Police said while some fraud investigations are still dealt with by themselves, others must be dealt with by Action Fraud, including identity theft.

In February, couple Jennifer Abbott and Alan Long, of Bradford Drive, had £2,000 stolen from them after they believe thieves with a mail box master key stole their post and used their details.

The pair only discovered the fraud after opening letters containing pin numbers to new bank accounts opened on their behalf.


The Gazette contacted Action Fraud for comment but received no response before our deadline.