Cunning thieves are scamming homeowners out of thousands of pounds in a calculated postbox scam.
Cheshire police are urging residents to be aware of a new con where fraudsters are rifling through people’s external mailboxes, ordering credit cards and purchasing expensive items with the money.
Since July Cheshire police have seen a steady increase in reports of similar incidents from residents mainly in the Kingsley and Tarvin areas, who have received packages they know nothing about.
One resident returned home one day in July to find a card from a parcel company saying he had missed a delivery.
He subsequently discovered that camera and audio equipment totalling about �9,000 had been ordered on a credit card registered in his name.
The offenders later attempted to collect the goods from the Chester sorting office but thanks to staff vigilance, were unsuccessful.
And recently in Kingsley a resident caught a man attempting to retrieve mail from the post box at the end of her drive before he made his excuses and left.
PC Martin Walsh from Cheshire police who is leading the investigation, said: “These offenders are stealing mail from residents’ post boxes and then attempting to obtain credit cards using the said identity.
“They then return to the property a few days later and attempt to retrieve the delivered credit card from the post box.
“Police are appealing for anyone who has seen any suspicious black BMW 1 type cars containing black males.
“Police have a positive line of enquiry but need the public’s assistance to establish whether there any further victims or witnesses to help our enquiries.
DC Dave Walton added: “There have been six of these incidents that we know about .
“People may be completely unaware of this so they should check their mailboxes are always secure and can’t be reached into.
“Please also check bank statements, credit card bills, money going missing and look out for post office delivery cards you are not expecting.”
If you have any information contact PC Walsh or PC Ben Kidd on 01606 362695.
