One of the many ways identity thieves obtain your personal information is through mail theft. The United States Postal Service delivers to every home in every state in the United States. almost every day. That’s a lot of mail to keep track of, and surprisingly, most of it reaches the rightful owners intact.
what is email theft
is when someone other than the recipient handles, steals, or reads mail that does not belong to them. may include raiding a mailbox for cash, credit cards, or other valuables. Sometimes thieves are looking for bank statements, social security checks, or personally identifiable information that they can use to steal your identity. mail theft is a felony with serious consequences (five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000).
what if someone is stealing my mail?
Identity theft is linked to various crimes, and one of the most common is mail theft. this allows thieves to read the content of your mail, a typical criminal looking to steal your identity could get:
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your name and address.
social security number.
credit card numbers.
bank account numbers.
pins.
phone numbers.
email addresses.
employment data.
pre-approved credit card offers.
A thief could also steal the checks you were expecting or the cash someone sends you. Along with the instant windfall, using the information above, they could open new credit card accounts, bank accounts, loans, or even commit crimes using your name. Identity theft is serious business, and preventing it starts with protecting your mail.
how to prevent email theft
You should check your mail frequently and never leave anything in the mailbox, also ask for a signature confirmation, even if it costs you a little monetarily, it will surely make it safer and protect your mail. Lastly, never send cash through the mail.
There are several ways to increase security and prevent email theft. Although these points do not guarantee that your mail will be stolen, they help protect your identity and your mailbox.
mail pickup and delivery
Try to get your mail out of the mailbox as soon as it’s delivered. If this is not possible and you will be out of town or unavailable, you can have the post office hold your mail until you can safely collect it when you return. If packages are being delivered to you, contact the post office to have them held for you. there have been many news reports of break-ins from moving vehicles with criminals seeing packages sitting on front porches and then taking them away.
When dropping off mail, give it directly to the mail carrier or leave it in a mailbox close to pickup time (these are posted in mailboxes).
confirmation signature
If you’re sending something valuable or receiving a package, have the sender use signature confirmation so you’re the only one who can sign for it. This service costs a small fee, but it’s worth knowing that your valuables got into the right hands and not some criminal.
never send cash
Although it may seem nice to send your grandson a twenty dollar bill in the mail for his birthday, thieves are aware of this practice and can steal it before your loved one receives the gift. never send cash through the mail. instead, always write a check, which can be canceled if something goes wrong.
how to report mail manipulation
Report the incident immediately to your area postal inspector if you have been a victim of mail fraud. If you were expecting mail that never arrived, file a report with your local post office. can be lost or stolen.
if you witness mail theft, call the police, then call us. uu. postal inspection service at 877-876-2455. you can also make a report online.
mail theft solutions
It’s good advice to get a copy of your credit report every year. You are entitled to one free copy of Experian, Transunion and Equifax every 12 months. get a baseline of where things are and then keep an eye out for fraud or new accounts.
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sign up for credit monitoring with a company like idstrong.com. they will keep an eye on everything for you and notify you of any new activity.
shred personal documents before throwing them away. Thieves don’t just check your mail; they also scavenge for information.
never leave mail in your mailbox overnight, on weekends, or when you’re away. arrange with the post office to hold your mail until you return.
Check your credit card and bank statements carefully each month. If you know a credit card is about to expire, find the new card and sign it right away.
If you move, fill out a change of address form.
if you live in a sketchy area, consider using a PO box inside the post office instead of home delivery.
Consider a neighborhood watch program to monitor everyone’s mail.
Sign up for paperless billing and pay for things online. this keeps paper notes out of the hands of criminals.
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