Mailbox theft a concern in your neighborhood? Here are tips to thwart would-be thieves
An increase in mail theft over the past few years has led law enforcement and the postal service to heighten monitoring efforts and public education efforts about how to report the crimes, as well as protect mail and other personal information.
Mail theft became an issue of increasing concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the AARP, as some stimulus checks were stolen from mailboxes.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement branch of the U.S. Postal Service, pointed to certain measures they’ve used to keep both the mail and postal workers safe amid the heightened threat of mail theft in their 2020 annual report.
“We formed working groups to plan for every contingency, cooperated with USPS and local law enforcement to protect the mailstream, and made sure our employees stayed safe,” the report states.
In 2021, those efforts were part of what led to 5,141 arrests and 3,784 convictions for postal crimes such as mail theft, mail fraud and prohibited mailings.
USPIS, the AARP and consumer protection groups have specific advice on how to protect oneself from mail theft, and what to do if mail is stolen.
What USPIS says you can you do to avoid mail theft:
- Pick up your mail and packages quickly. Do not leave mail in your mailbox or packages outside for too long.
- Do not send cash through the mail.
- Drop off mail in mailboxes or USPS Blue Collection boxes near the pickup times, or drop off mail directly inside the post office.
- Arrange pick up and delivery times. Most mailing services will allow mailers to hold packages for pickup at post offices or reschedule delivery times. Most packages also can be sent with a required signature for delivery.
- Keep track of mail you are expecting. If you do not receive a package, credit card, check or letter that you were expecting, contact the sender or USPS.
- If you move, make sure to update your address.
Are locked mailboxes a good option?
Locked mailboxes can be purchased at almost any hardware store or superstore and were created to help keep your mail and personal information more secure.
Locked mailboxes allow mail carriers to insert mail, but the mailbox can only be opened with a key. This limits the ability to send mail through a residential mailbox but also limits access to personal mail.
What to do if your mail has been stolen:
If your mail has been stolen, you have received suspicious mail or need help with mail fraud, USPIS encourages you to report your case. You can report a crime online or by calling 877-876-2455.
This story was originally published April 4, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
