[Solved] Advice on Targetted Financial Fraud Attempt

kaleidoscope on 18/04/2024 - 18:17
Last edited 07/05/2024 - 13:01

G'day folks,
So I have been getting debit cards to my mail box in past couple of weeks not belonging to me with my postal address (I did not open accounts or ordered them). Basically different names, but my postal address.
I have promptly contacted the respective banks and informed them about it and ensured my accounts with them are safe and nothing has been compromised. They advised to either hand over the cards to banks or discard them and the accounts are secure.

That brings us to today where I gotten another credit card was left in my post box and when I went in to access it, noticed it was forced opened. (It was probably forced opened the night before and the card was delivered today).

Just am wondering what is going on? The banks I contacted so far told me to ignore them but now that someone had tried to brute force my mailbox to access the cards, I'm concerned for me and my family's safety as I smell something sinister is going on. What can I do to ensure the safety of my family as I feel like someone is going to show up at my doorstep and do something nasty. Any advice is really appreciated.

——- update ——

Reported to the local police with cctv footage of the intruder breaking into the mailbox with a crowbar, early hours on the day. He said can’t do much as video doesn’t have much identifiable information to open a case or take a statement 🤷‍♂️. He also said it has been a common occurrence since all the cyber attacks leading to personal info leaks. Just advised me to monitor the mailbox area as much as possible and report to 000 if i see any suspicious acts taking place and finally to check for mail as frequently as possible to not leave anything in it. So eventually when the felons can’t get the contents overtime they’ll stop using The mailbox address.

——- update 2 ——

Things seem to have settled down at least for the time being. I did receive 1 more card next day and 2 letters from banks with some failed id checks (all belong to different names). Hopefully the mob would stop using my mailbox as they won't be getting the mail from it. I will close the thread for now and re-open in future if needed. Thanks all for the helpful information.

TIA

Financial

closed Comments

  • MS Paint on 18/04/2024 - 18:28
    +2

    Since you've asked on ozbargain there's really only one option.

    It starts with B and sounds like (actually I can't think of anything it sounds like).

    • spackbace on 18/04/2024 - 18:37
      +2

      My keys?

    • kaleidoscope on 18/04/2024 - 19:35

      Thanks!. I think B folks are busy these days protecting the public from knife attacks and I do not want to take them away from that duty.

    • Iwantthebestprice on 19/04/2024 - 01:18

      This makes bikes. Cheers

  • SBOB on 18/04/2024 - 18:52
    +3

    Likely some random scammer in your neighbourhood has chosen your address as their 'postal' address.
    Unlikely targetting you or a danger to you, though could get rather annoying when said scammer doesn't pay their bills and your address is the starting point for debt collectors.

    Put a better lock on your post box to make it less attractive an option might be one step.

    • kaleidoscope on 18/04/2024 - 19:39

      Thanks. It's a locked post box, and the fellow had used a crowbar to rip open the panels and gain access to it.

  • nige0090 on 18/04/2024 - 19:00
    +4

    It sounds like someone is using your address as a mail drop for fraud.
    If they can't find "their" mail one day, they might knock on your door saying that their post had been sent to your address by accident.
    I'm surprised that the banks issuing those cards are not more interested.

    • kaleidoscope on 18/04/2024 - 19:37

      I'm surprised that the banks issuing those cards are not more interested.

      I know.. They showed the least interest and simply said oh we issue cards when they're close to expiration and I'm sure its a mistake in the system (even though I've explained to them that I have received other cards recently with different names)

  • JIMB0 on 18/04/2024 - 20:04
    +2

    Get a visible camera up. That should deter them.

    • kaleidoscope on 18/04/2024 - 21:15

      They are. Don’t think it matters anymore. The fellow is all covered up only the nose is visible 🤷‍♂️. Also don’t think the guy breaking in is the one committing the cyber crime. So most likely no idea if premise is equipped with cameras

  • toasty on 18/04/2024 - 20:57
    +5

    Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    Tell them what has been happening and explain your concerns. They will file a case report which usually ends up with the Police and any follow up action is be prioritised according to urgency.

    Good luck and stay safe!

    • try2bhelpful on 19/04/2024 - 10:12
      +1

      Agree. Take this to the cops and say you think someone is using your post box fraudulently. It will help if the debt collectors start to turn up. If you are bolshie enough then put a sign saying “this letter box is being monitored and tampering will be reported to the police”.

    • kaleidoscope on 19/04/2024 - 22:53
      +1

      Thanks, reported to police with cctv footage. Wasn’t really helpful outcome tbh. The constable said as the cctv doesnt show any identifiable information he can’t do much. As for the situation at hand he said it’s been a common occurrence since all the id info leaks and told me just empty my mailbox as frequent as i can and they’ll eventually stop using it.

      • try2bhelpful on 19/04/2024 - 22:56
        +1

        At least it is on the record with the cops. You think they would care a bit more about fraud.

        • kaleidoscope on 19/04/2024 - 23:01
          -1

          sigh… looks like they’re waiting for some blood shed to make an appearance and dispatch the entire police force onto it 🤪

          • try2bhelpful on 19/04/2024 - 23:50
            -1

            @kaleidoscope: I’m sure A Current Affair would find it interesting. Especially the bit where the Banks and Cops aren’t interested in fixing fraud.

            • Downvoter on 20/04/2024 - 11:21
              -2

              @try2bhelpful: Yep some flop on cctv breaking in to commit fraud is definitely priority number one for the finite police resources.

              Just tell those victims of assault, DFV and fatal car crashes to just sit tight while the mail fraud is investigated.

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