Portsmouth Police Warn of Identity Theft

Sadly the Christmas season also brings out the worst in people.

Portsmouth police are warning residents, especially in the South End, to be aware of an "organized crime enterprise" that, according to a Portsmouth police press release:

.  These organizations have been targeting local neighborhoods, and more specifically the south end of Portsmouth.  These individuals are obtaining personal identities such as names, DOB’s, social security numbers, and addresses and using that information to go online and order items, specifically newly released smart phones such as the IPhone 10 and Samsung Note 8 through several different national phone carriers such as Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T.  They then track shipment of these products to local addresses and are approaching USPS mail carriers, UPS drivers and Fed Ex drivers in the vicinity of the address and identifying themselves as the owners of the package and providing fraudulent identification or names to attempt to obtain the items.

The darker side is out there, especially this time of year. Please be alert!