A 32-year-old Chilliwack man is facing a series of charges stemming from cases of identity theft that include victims as far away as Alberta.
Jeffrey Michael Kizmann, whom Chilliwack RCMP call a “prolific offender,” had been the focus of ongoing police investigations into a series of mail box thefts since being pulled over in a traffic stop on Jan. 25.
A subsequent investigation by the RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit’s property crimes section led to charges of possession of stolen goods, possession of break-in instruments, being in a vehicle with a prohibited weapon, and one charge of identify theft.
Identity theft can be attributed to mail thefts, theft from vehicles and residential break and enters, RCMP said. The vast majority of the identity theft victims have been victims of mail theft. By stealing mail suspects are able to obtain personal information about people, which allows them to open bank accounts, take out personal loans and apply for credit cards all in the victim’s name.
The victims in this crime are from Chilliwack, surrounding municipalities and Alberta.
"Having personally dealt with some of the victims in this investigation,” said Cpl. Brock Rayworth of the Chilliwack RCMP property crime section, “it is evident that this type of crime significantly affects them. Many of the victims have had to work with their financial institutions and have gone to great lengths to ensure their credit ratings are not destroyed," he said.
"Our efforts have been, and will continue to be, focused on the offenders that are causing the most impact on the community."
UFVRD RCMP property crime section worked in conjunction with the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Group Payment Card Investigations Section, a Burnaby RCMP weapons expert, and the Lower Mainland Forensic Identification Section to bring a successful conclusion to a very involved investigation.
Anyone who thinks they may be a victim of mail theft, or have any questions regarding their identity or accounts being compromised, is asked to contact Equifax at 1-800-465-7166 and Trans Union at 1-877-525-3823.
Should you become a victim to mail theft or notice your mailbox has been vandalized, you are asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 and Canada Post Security at 1-800-267-1177.