For the past 20 years, either me or someone I know has lived at this address. Recently, I have received several pieces of mail with the correct address, but someone else’s name, which I do not recognize. Let’s call him Mark Ellis. Every piece of mail has been a credit card or mail from a company that has already sent Mark a credit card to this address. There has been no other kind of mail - no personal letters or anything.
It looks suspicious to me, but I can’t figure out what benefit this would have to someone trying to pull a fast one. Mark isn’t receiving the cards so he can’t use them. Why would someone do this?
I have also received one phone call from one of these companies, asking for Mark, so it seems Mark may have used my phone number on the application. Or the credit card company did a reverse search on the address.
The address is a house - not an apartment building or townhome.
I opened the first piece of mail by mistake, not looking at the name on the envelope, just blindly going through my stack of mail. Once I saw it was a credit card, I phoned that company (a jewelry store) and explained everything. They canceled the account and asked me to destroy the card, which I did. The next day, I received another pice of mail for Mark, felt the envelope and felt a credit card. I opened it on purpose (but have since been advised not to) and called that credit card company (VISA) who also asked me to destroy the card, which I did.
I have contacted the police, and they agree it looks suspicious, but they said that nothing criminal has occurred, so they can’t do anything. They suggested I simply write ‘Return to Sender’ on the envelopes and send them back. I’ll be doing this, but I’m still wondering… what’s the purpose of someone filling out all these applications for credit cards using my address?
“Mark” could be planning on stealing these credit cards from your mailbox. Then he can use them in a nefarious manner. Such as ordering things online, shipping them next day air to your house, and then stealing them from your doorstep before you get home. It’s a lot of trouble, but that could be it.
I’d be a little worried about identity theft at this point. If you haven’t done it recently, you should check your credit report to make sure that everything is on the up-and-up.
One of my friends mentioned identity theft, but this Mark guy isn’t using my name, so I discounted that. But it’s good advice to check my credit report anyway. Thanks, **Doctor Who. **
I’m usually here when the mail comes, and I bring it in right away, but there have been a couple of days that I’ve been gone all day, and those recent days are days when I got some of Mark’s mail. I’ll keep that in mind, though, that my house may be being watched.
Perps of scams like this often use vacant houses or esp. apartments, as any billing department can attest. Is the address exactly correct (some cities have more than one 11th street, east and west. Are the letters generic “you’ve been pre-approved” junk mail? Billing statements and the like are always sent first-class.
The address is exactly correct. I live in a small city, and there are some named streets that are similar, but none similar to mine. The mail is not generic at all - it’s all actual credit cards.
Rick, I took your advice and called the local postal inspector. He was very sympathetic, but his advice was the same as the police’s - write ‘Return to Sender’ on the envelope and put them back in the mailbox - a big mailbox, not my own mailbox, in case “Mark” is looking to claim his mail.
And now I’ve received a non-credit card piece of mail, from a wireless provider. I phoned them and they said they already have a “flag” on that account.
Could someone be looking to create a credit history? I don’t quite see how this would do it, but maybe I’m missing something.
Also, have you check with telephone information to see if maybe there is someone named Mark Ellis in town now, and he for some reason doesn’t know his address.
I can’t see how he can build a credit history without actually using the credit cards, but maybe I’m missing something too.
I haven’t called directory assistance, but one of the first things I did was look in the phone book, and there were a couple listings for M. Ellis at other addresses. I really don’t want to try to contact this person personally though. The more I think about it, the only thing I can come up with was that he was intending to take these credit cards from my mailbox, run them up to their limits, then laugh as the bills were mailed to my address, returned to sender, and the accounts canceled. Then he would do it all over again with another address.
As I’m sure you can imagine, I am very creeped out by the thought that someone might be staking out my house.
yeah, that’s creepy. maybe set up a security camera? They’re cheap now. You could set a small camera inside your mailbox (operated by a motion-detector).
I started getting mail for someone else at my address. It turned out that when the new people down the block changed their address on their accounts and had their mail forwarded, they transposed the numbers and put down my address.
The first two items of mail that arrived were new credit cards for a newly-opened account, and all the other mail that has arrived has been credit cards (you can tell by feeling the card through the envelope) and the one piece of mail from the wireless provider. No personal mail, letters, cards, etc. That’s why I’m suspicious that it’s not just an error of transposition. I think **Doctor Who ** has it right in his post.
Will the postoffice allow a change of address for someone that doesn’t live there? Is there any way to have the postoffice automatically return to sender all mail for Mark?
The Post Office will redirect that mail if I request it, but in speaking with the Postal Inspector, he advised against it due to the very high probability of human error which would result in my own mail being returned to sender.
My current course of action is to note where the mail came from, phone that company, explain everything, and return the mail to sender. Most credit cards come in an envelope with no markings to indicate that it’s a credit card company who is sending it, so those I just mark ‘Return to Sender’ and re-mail it using the big mailbox. If I’m home when the mail comes, I bring it in right away.
I get “Pre-Approved” letters all the time and you can feel a card inside the envelope, which turns out to be an “acceptance card”, the same size and feel of an actual credit card. Also, check if any information on the accompanying literature has your social security number on it. If it does, probably identy theft attempt.
Also consider this: Many stores will offer “instant credit” when you fill out the application. That jewelry store card that came in the mail, for example. I would bet that “Mark” walked out of the store with a pocketful of ice and the actual card showed up at your house after-the-fact. Ditto with the wireless junk.
I opened the first two pieces of mail, and they were real cards, not acceptance cards. I have been advised not to open any more mail addressed to Mark.
Originally posted by Gatopescado:
I would totally fault the jewelry store for that, then! Not too swift on their part. When the card from the jewelry store came, there was no bill, just the card and a “Welcome!” letter and terms of agreement stuff.
When I phoned the wireless provider, they checked the account through the name and address Mark provided and told me there was already a “flag” on that account, so they were suspicious before I was!
Note: The following is a UK take on things - Don’t know how much is applicable to your situation.
WAG on the credit history part, but don’t some credit agencies use the home address as part of their checks?
I had a sister-in-law who was having major problems getting credit about 20 years ago. It turned out that the previous tennant of her flat had a load of County Court Judgements against them for non-payment of bills and fines.
I reccomend getting a copy of your credit ratings to make sure there’s not been any unusual activity. There’s plenty of websites that can not only give you detalis of your ratings, but also offer advice on ID security and how to appeal against any incorrect marks against you.