A surge in identity theft is prompting a police investigation across multiple Canadian cities, with authorities warning residents about a modern tactic used by fraudsters. Criminals are reportedly using adhesive to tamper with mailboxes, allowing them to steal personal information from incoming mail.
Police are investigating a wave of fraudulent activity linked to the mailbox tampering, according to reports. The thefts are leading to significant financial hardship for victims, with some reporting severely damaged credit scores as a result of the identity theft.
“My credit score was almost at rock bottom,” one victim told Le Journal de Montréal. The victim explained that they were subsequently pursued by collection agencies due to fraudulent accounts opened in their name.
Canada has recently been identified as a “hotspot” for identity theft, raising concerns about the vulnerability of personal data. The case highlights the growing sophistication of identity theft schemes and the need for increased vigilance among citizens.
In a related case, Juan Pablo Serrano, a fugitive wanted in connection with the 2019 data breach at Desjardins Financial Group, was recently arrested in Spain, TVA Nouvelles reported. The Desjardins breach compromised the personal information of over 9.7 million members.
Authorities are urging residents to regularly check their mail and report any suspicious activity to the police. They also recommend monitoring credit reports for any unauthorized activity.
More details on the investigation are available from Le Journal de Montréal.
