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Police issue warning on credit card fraud over the holidays

Canadians racked up more debt in through the spring and early summer, new data show.
York Regional Police are warning the public to pay special attention to their credit card use over the holidays. AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File

TORONTO – York Regional Police are reminding the public to pay special attention to their credit card use over the holidays after an arrest was made this week in connection to a mail diversion fraud investigation.

Prince Imalenowa, 35, of Vaughan, Ont. was arrested Dec. 3 for allegedly redirecting mail containing gift and credit cards.

Police say they began their investigation in August after Canada Post alerted them that mail was being diverted from intended recipients to a post office box.

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READ MORE: Protect your plastic from holiday thieves

The accused was taken into custody after a search warrant was executed at his residence on Marilyn Place in Vaughan.

Officers were able to seize amounts of cash, several thousand dollars worth of gift cards, prepaid credit cards, a credit card reader/writer and merchandise.

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Police believe the suspect was also using information from the redirected mail to apply for multiple credit cards.

Imalenowa has been charged with fraudulently redirect mail, defraud the public under $5,000, and fraud over $5,000.

Police are urging the public to keep an eye on credit card statements and to make sure all purchases are correct.

It is also advised to be careful of buying discounted gift cards online.

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