Forgery and fraud charges, Buderim
A Sunshine Coast man has been charged with more than 20 offences after allegedly making numerous online purchases using personal details of stolen from unsuspecting victims.
It will be alleged in July the man used credit card details taken from a 28-year-old woman to purchase a number of items through online retailers.
It will be further alleged on July 21 the same man used credit card information stolen from a 23-year-old Victorian man to buy trading cards online.
On July 25 the man allegedly used the driver’s licence of a 63-year-old Mooloolaba man to order a mobile phone and tablet which he then took possession of.
A number of online purchases were also allegedly made by the man on August 12 using the credit card details of a 71-year-old woman.
Police yesterday attended a Buderim address and a subsequent search of the property resulted in officers locating a number of the purchased items.
A 26-year-old Buderim man has been charged with seven counts of forgery, four counts of fraud, three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of failure to appear and one count each of use things to forge document, unlawful possession of restricted drugs and possession of a utensil.
He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court today.
Officer in Charge of the Sunshine Coast District CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Daren Edwards has warned the local community to be vigilant with their identification security.
“Investigating fraud related offences has become one of the most common and challenging issues dealt with by police today.”
With the rapid advancements in technology, frauds are becoming more sophisticated, widespread and complex,” Detective Senior Sergeant Edwards said.
There are a number of very simple safeguards you can take to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft:
- Destroy your personal information appropriately – shred documents and cards which contain your personal details
- Monitor your accounts and statements
- Carefully select websites that you use
- Install anti-virus software and an active firewall on your computer
- Use strong passwords
- Limit the amount of information you put about yourself on the internet
For further resources specific to protecting your identification the following website may be of interest: www.esafety.gov.au
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Brisbane Crime Alert
