Protect your Mail from Thieves
From smash and grabs from your car to packages disappearing off your porch, it seems nothing is safe from thieves anymore. But sometimes the criminal is looking for more than just a quick item or cash. Those targeting mailboxes are often looking for credit cards and other private information that they can use to steal your identity. What can you do to help protect your mail?
What is Mail Theft
According to the attorneys at Wallin and Klarich, “Mail theft is defined as taking any piece of mail that is not your own for any purpose. A piece of mail can be any letter, postal card, package, box or bag. Mail theft can result from stealing from private mailboxes, collection boxes, postal workers or mail trucks.” The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. Using fraud or deception to reroute mail is also mail theft. Some criminals even go so far as to have a change of address submitted for your mail.
What do they Want with your Mail?
Mail thieves work at many different levels. They may be after a quick score or working on a grander scheme. Here are some of the things they are looking for in your mail:
- Money, money, money. While few people send cash through the mail these days, people do send gift cards as gifts. Some companies also send them as promotional items or customer appreciation. Thieves know what to look for and will quickly identify mail with some real value.
- Information. Bank statements, utilities, medical bills all have information on them that can be helpful to someone trying to steal your identity.
- Credit cards or checks. When your card has expired or you run out of checks, the bank sends the new ones to your home. While they like to think they are disguising the packaging, once you know what to look for, it’s not hard to identify them.
- Documents. They may be after your new driver’s license or renewed passport.
- Credit. All of those pre-approved credit card mailers aren’t just an annoyance. If they make it into the wrong hands, you could end up with new accounts opened under your name without your knowledge.
- Stuff. Lots of stores now use the USPS for delivering items you order online. Thieves don’t care if it is art supplies or jewelery, they will take it all and keep what’s valuable to them.
How to Protect your Mail
- Be aware. Sign up for informed delivery with the USPS. They send you an email with an image of the mail on its way to you. That way if you don’t receive something, you know right away to report it.
- Check your mail often. Don’t let mail sit in your mailbox for extended periods. This invites curiosity. When you go out of town, either have the mail held or have a neighbor bring it in for you.
- Get credit alerts. Sign up to get notified anytime a credit application is made in your name. This way you will know if someone is trying to use your identity to open new accounts.
- Be suspicious. If you don’t receive any mail at all for several days, call and report it to the USPS. Also check with your neighbors to see if they are having the same issue. Thieves tend to target groups of houses at the same time.
- Get a locking mailbox. Upgrade your mailbox so that no one can get the mail except you.
- Go paperless. For as many items as you can, rely exclusively on electronic billing and payments. No bills coming in and no checks going out make your mail much less of a target.
- Add video suveillance. Have a camera that watches your mailbox so you can see if anyone tampers with your mail.
What if you think your mail has been stolen? You should report it both to the police and the Postal Inspectors. Submit an online complaint at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or call them at 877-876-2455. Set up fraud alerts with the credit agencies and contact any vendors you were expecting packages from to let them know they were stolen.
We Can Help
Cultris Security Systems can help you keep your home and mailbox safe. Whether you just need a doorbell camera or a full CCTV system, we have options for you! Call us at 281-506-8466 or reach us online.
