A man has been arrested and charged following a years-long mail theft scheme to apply for fraudulent loans and credit cards.
The 28-year-old is alleged to have taken people’s mail to access their personal information and create illegitimate documents, Sergeant Michael Palmer said.
The documents were then used to apply for fraudulent loans and credit cards.
Police carrying out a search at a home in Hamilton found “hundreds of letters and documents”, Palmer said.
Officers were now working to understand the extent of the offending.
Palmer said police were alerted after “receiving a report from a person whose new credit card had seemingly never arrived”.
“They knew something was wrong when that credit card started to tally up, and called police.”
The man in due to reappear in the Hamilton District Court on May 31 charged with mail theft.
“This is a great result for the community and a timely reminder to the public to continue reporting any thefts from letterboxes,” Palmer said.
“We encourage anyone who has been the victim of dishonesty offending to report it as soon as possible.
“If you see any suspicious activity, such as unfamiliar people loitering around properties or looking in mailboxes, please contact police immediately.”
Palmer said there were a number of ways the public could protect themselves from mail theft, including sending parcels to their workplace or ensuring someone was at home at a time they were likely to arrive.
Police tips to reduce the risk of mail theft:
• Clear your letterbox in a timely manner
• Put your mail delivery on hold if you’re going away
• Provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property
• Install security cameras and/or security camera messaging near your letterbox or the front of your property
• Where practical, consider click-and-collect over delivery.