Buzz
For some individuals, an empty mailbox might be a welcome sight—no mail is better than junk mail—but a mailbox with little to no mail could actually signal identity theft. In 2021, 36,000 address changes were flagged as suspicious, with some later identified as fraudulent, as reported by KPRC 2 News. Victims of this scam, known as change-of-address fraud, fall prey to a surprisingly simple method of stealing personal information.
What is Address Change Fraud?
Typically, people request a change-of-address through the USPS when relocating. The USPS provides this service either in person, online, or by mail, forwarding your mail from your old address to the new one for a year at no charge. (During this period, it’s expected that you will update your address with any mail senders).
When changing an address online, identity verification is done through two-factor authentication—a code is sent to the phone number you provide. However, the USPS offers far less protection for the other two methods, especially by mail. There's no two-factor authentication, and the process can even proceed without the need for an ID, according to Aura, a cybersecurity website. A confirmation form is typically sent to both the old and new addresses to verify the changes, but scam victims report not receiving these forms.
How does the address change scam operate?
Here’s how the scam works, according to Aura:
An identity thief obtains your personal information, such as your full name and address. They may acquire this by stealing physical mail or purchasing basic details online. You can check if your information is exposed to hackers using Aura’s Dark Web Scanner.
The thief (or accomplices) submits a USPS change-of-address form through the mail, as no verification is required for this mail-in process.
The scammers reroute your mail to a new address under their control.
They open the redirected mail to access confidential documents such as bank statements, driver’s license renewals, and other sensitive data they can exploit for financial crimes under your name.
Consider purchasing a mail shredder to prevent mail fraud:
This JIKIOU Mini Hand Shredder Portable Paper Shredder is currently priced at $12
This Bonsaii Paper Shredder for Home Use is now on sale for $30
This Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper Shredder is being offered for $34
Signs of change-of-address fraud to watch out for
Keep an eye out for these warning signs of potential change-of-address fraud:
You receive a confirmation for a change-of-address that you didn’t request
Your mail suddenly stops arriving
A $1.05 charge from USPS unexpectedly appears on your bank statement
Your credit card billing address is suddenly updated without your knowledge
You receive alerts about new accounts opened in your name
To prevent many of these issues, consider signing up for paperless billing. Additionally, you can enroll in “informed delivery” with the USPS (it’s free), which lets you preview your mail before it arrives. If you notice any of these red flags, take action as soon as possible to protect yourself.
What to do if you suspect address change fraud
If you notice any of the warning signs listed above and suspect change-of-address fraud, visit the USPS website and follow the steps to dispute the issue. You should also take the following actions:
Reach out to your local U.S. Postal Inspection Service office.
If you can’t locate the contact number for your local office, call the general U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 (press “4” for mail fraud).
Document your suspicions and provide as much information as possible to assist postal inspectors.
