If you’ve been getting less mail recently, you’re probably happy since, if you’re like most people, a majority of your mail ends up in the trash or recycling bin anyways. But, if you notice a big change in your amount of mail, you might want to consider why.
Unfortunately, it might mean you are the victim of a change-of-address scam. This is a form of mail fraud in which scammers get the postal service to deliver your mail to a new address. This then allows the scammers to receive bank and credit card statements along with other potentially valuable information that they could use to steal your identity.
A decrease in mail doesn’t necessarily mean you are a victim of a change-of-address scam, but it is a possibility. So, we are going to explain what change-of-address fraud is as well as what you can do to prevent it.
Change-of-Address Fraud
Change-of-address fraud is a type of scam that can potentially allow the scammer access to sensitive personal information. It involves a thief learning what your complete name and address are and then filing a change-of-address form through the mail. When the thief files the information, they give their address for the new address. This will allow them to receive your mail which may include banking information, investment information, and other sensitive information.
Change-of-address fraud does not work when filed online because when using the online system, digital…
