Fraudsters have been stealing mail from Bromsgrove post boxes and then ordering credit cards in victims' names - The Bromsgrove Standard

Fraudsters have been stealing mail from Bromsgrove post boxes and then ordering credit cards in victims' names

Bromsgrove Editorial 21st Feb, 2019 Updated: 27th Feb, 2019   0

IDENTITY fraudsters have stolen mail from Bromsgrove households and used the details to apply for credit cards.

The police have received two reports today relating to Raglan Court, New Road, and some last week in Sanders Road.

The culprits have lay in wait for the post delivery person each day and then, after they have gone and before the residents have had chance to get their mail, they have put their hands into letterboxes and stolen the post.

They have then applied for credit cards and gone back, using the same elaborate theft technique to take the cards and then doing the same days later to acquire the PINs.




PC Anna Harding said: “What makes the situation worse is that because victims have not received the post, they do not know credit cards have been applied for in their names or for their accounts.”

By the time many have realised their accounts have been plundered for large amounts of cash.


Those who have been targeted have had external ‘mailboxes’ – either in communal areas of blocks of flats or on outside walls.

PC Harding added: “Many have been elderly or vulnerable.

“One man who this happened to is seriously ill and it is the last thing he needed.”

She added Royal Mail had been alerted and, in a bid to combat the crime, alternative arrangements to postal deliveries had been organised.

Police have released descriptions relating to the thieves.

One had a black hoodie and was in his 30s while another had a ‘distinctive’ maroon bobble hat and wore black denim jeans. He also carried a ‘man bag’.

Residents in the district are being warned to be on their guard and report any suspicious activity to police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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