Another identity theft scam - Did you move?
Is It Possible To Move And Not Even Know It?
Have you recently received a notice that your mail is about to be delivered to an address other than your own? If you receive a notice like this from the Post Office, you might be the victim of identity theft.
Increasingly, scammers are using change-of-address forms in order to obtain driver’s licenses under the identities of others.
The scammers use old school telephone books to find the names and addresses of those they plan to target for identity theft. Once they have gotten your name and address they submit a change-of-address form to the U.S. Postal Service. Then, using falsified documents to establish their residency at the “new” address, they request a new driver’s license from the DMV. The DMV then mails a new license with your name and picture on it to your “new” address, where the scammer picks it up.
In the meantime, all your other mail is going to the “new” address. The scammer can receive checks, credit card statements and other documents meant for you that contain all types of information they are looking for.
The good news — Once a change-of-address form is submitted, the Postal Service sends a verification letter to both the current address and the new one. If you receive one of these verification letters, immediately contact your local Post Office. If the Postal Service doesn’t hear from you, your mail will be forwarded to the “new” address and your identity will be at stake.
So far, this scam seems to be most active in New Mexico and Texas, but it’s sure to make its way to other states in the near future.
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