to be concerned about further fraud?

[Mimishimi]

A few weeks ago our letterbox lock (one of 18 at the side of our apartment block) was broken but we thought it might just have dissolved so didn't think too much of it at the time. Then just over two weeks ago, we noticed that my calls to DH's mobile did not get through to him but thought it might be a temporary glitch. Anyway, next day I called him again so I could let him know that I was going to visit my mum in the hospital before going to the city and the calls still didn't get through to him. I texted him through Whatsapp to let him know and after trying to ring his own phone from his work phone, he found it still didn't work. So he rang his phone company (we use a pre-paid provider and it is topped up by his credit card when it gets below a certain amount) and they informed him that someone had rung several days prior claiming to be him and asked that phonecalls to his number be diverted to another number (which the phone provider gave us). We have no idea how they acquired his mobile number or passed any identity test (but we guess they gave them the CC number). DH left work immediately, contacted all our banks, found out that one had been approached by someone asking for a new PIN but they failed the identity test, and that one of our credit cards had been compromised - $9000 worth of transactions in five days. Account got frozen, CC company informed us that someone had rung the week before claiming to be DH and had requested a new card be sent to ... our address. Only after they got it must they have rung the phone company and successfully got the calls diverted because the fraudulent activity began 1 day before that. They must have left a huge CCTV trail judging by the transactions - lots of cash advances and big purchases at stores that we know have video surveillance (we think only one transaction was online).

Anyway, bit of a long story but of course we reported to the police and we have an event number for it - we had two numbers to give them - one was the number that DH's phonecalls were diverted to and the other was one which called me back immediately after I called DH about the hospital visit but they cancelled the call . The CC company's fraud investigation unit said it is a case they are pursuing. The police rung us about a week ago to say that they were currently pursuing CCTV images from at least two of the places but we've heard nothing since. DH now has an account with one of those credit reporting companies which will alert him if there is new activity under his name. We got the lock replaced by strata . DH had tried to fix the old one before we knew about the fraud but it 'fell' apart again - whether that was deliberately or not we don't know. Anyway, new lock on letterbox was working fine for about a week but two days ago I noticed that the key doesn't fit properly now and it's a real struggle to open it so someone has clearly tried to tamper with it by jamming a key in or something. We did get a P.O box a few days ago (most of our statements were already electronic but have also changed any remaining) but my concern is that they might still be applying for something in our names, expecting delivery and trying to intercept the mail. We do suspect a certain neighbour and have warned others we know about the mail theft/fraud etc (but obviously not accused anyone). DH has an ethnic identity/name that would be very hard for anyone not of the same background to impersonate. Has anyone had any experience of this and what else should we be looking out for?

[Lj8893]

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say I hope you get it all sorted, it must be a horrible feeling.

[Mimishimi]

Sorry forgot to add that DH think IABABU to suspect that it is a neighbour without firm evidence. He's also a bit disappointed with me that I think it's someone from his community even though a very good friend of his said the same.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Sounds like you're not in the UK so obviously a long way from the Met but some of this advice might be of help

content.met.police.uk/Article/Identity-fraud--is-someone-using-your-identity/1400010760805/1400010760805

Sorry you find yourselves in this situation .

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

As to DH's disappointment you should suspect someone from your immediate neighbourhood, with respect who knows what drives people to crime, and there may be one bad apple that goes against everyone else's moral code, it doesn't mean no-one's to be trusted.

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

That sounds really stressful. I think in your situation I would ask a friend if they would mind having your mail for a bit and do a short term mail redirection.