Recently we have noticed an increase in the number of mail thefts in the South Jordan area. Protecting your incoming and outgoing mail may seem like a hassle, but becoming an identity theft victim can be even more time-consuming, costing you hours of work to restore your good name. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes.
A mail thief is someone who sees easy money in stealing mail. Mail thieves sift through incoming and outgoing mail looking for:
- Identifying numbers, such as SSN, bank account number, medical account identification numbers
- Passwords: Banking account online password, computer passwords
- Names: Mother's maiden name, all residents
- Mailing addresses
- Personal checks you have written to pay bills - they will alter the checks and cash them for lots of money
- Credit cards - while they hope to find already activated cards, they are usually successful in using the 800# to activate a new card and use it for personal gain.
It is common practice in identity theft cases for thieves to submit false changes of address orders to the Postal Service. They will also call the victim's known financial institutions to redirect mail for fraud purposes.
Ways to help prevent mail theft:
Have incoming mail delivered to a secure location (front door slot, P.O. Box or locked mailbox). The United States Postal Inspection Services strongly recommends that you pick up mail from your mailbox as soon as possible after delivery. Have your local post office hold your mail while you're on vacation, or absent from your home for a long period of time.
Use a mailbox with a lock and keep it locked. Although not completely secure, a locked mailbox can deter a potential mail thief.
Never send cash or coins in the mail. Use checks or money orders.
Whenever you are mailing checks or important personal information walk your mail into your local post office.
Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, you can watch each other's mailboxes (as well as homes).
Report all mail theft to your local police department and the United States Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455 or https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/mintrcvd.aspx.
