Thieves hit community and apartment mailboxes in Red Deer

“Criminals who steal mail are targeting pre-paid credit cards, gift cards, cheques and documents that will make it easy for them to access your banking and other personal information,” Red Deer RCMP say in a release. “This time of year, thieves are especially targeting the pre-paid credit cards used by tax companies to deliver tax refunds to their clients.”

RCMP urge citizens in the affected areas and throughout the community to take steps every day to protect themselves from identity theft:

• If you think your mail may have contained replacement credit or bank cards, or credit or bank statements that could be used to attempt fraud on your accounts, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.

• Are you expecting a tax return via a pre-paid card? Contact the business that handled your tax return immediately.

• Are you expecting personal identification such as a renewed driver’s license or other government-issued identification? Contact the issuing agency immediately.

• Is this the time when you would expect to receive utility bills? Contact the appropriate companies to ensure that you don’t accidentally miss payment. Stolen bills can also be used by fraudsters in attempts to steal your identity, open new accounts or get cash loans.

• RCMP urge people to check their mail every day to lessen the risk of losing important pieces of mail.

Learn more about protecting yourself from fraud by visiting the identity theft section of the RCMP website and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Anyone with information about the incidents over the weekend can call Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Thieves hit community and apartment mailboxes in Red Deer

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