Police in Aberdeenshire are aware of several recent instances of residents having their wheelie bins stolen or moved from their storage area and the contents gone through.

The concern is that this has been done to gain personal details to carry out identity theft.

Identity theft happens when fraudsters access enough information about someone’s identity, such as their name, date of birth, bank details, current or previous addresses to commit identity fraud.

Fraudsters can use identity details to:
– open bank accounts
– obtain credit cards, loans and state benefits
– order goods in your name
– take over your existing accounts
– take out mobile phone contracts
– obtain genuine documents such as passports and driving licences in your name.

Please dispose of all items of mail/paperwork by shredding or burning to prevent this happening to you.