New billing scam appears in north Alabama

(WAFF) - Multiple law enforcement agencies want you to be on high alert about a new scam. Thieves are now stealing your identity and potentially destroying your credit at the same time.

Here's what's happening. Huntsville's financial crimes unit said criminals are ordering items online using your identity and then having it shipped to your address and pick it up before you get home. Police said the thieves are mostly ordering phones and charging them to your account.

Tips to prevent this from happening from you is to keep a close eye on your bills, register with a credit check company and watch out for your packages and your neighbors.

"A smaller percentage of the cases are getting the bills first and they never got a package until they learn that it's too late they've got several hundred dollars of bills racked up," said Huntsville police Lt. Michael Johnson.

"Monitor your credit. There are so many charge companies now that they check your FICA score monthly," said Sheila Walden.

Colbert and Madison counties are also getting reports of this same scam.

If you are a victim of this scam, call police immediately.

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