Mail Identity Theft: 3/22/11-4/13/11

Mail Theft Spurs Senior Outreach Program
The Riverbank News – 4/13/11

(RIVERBANK, CALIFORNIA) “[…] Recently detectives found a stolen checkbook belonging to a local senior during a parole search. The checkbook had been taken from a mailbox outside her home in the downtown. Bills she had paid were also taken so her utility bills were falling into arrears. When contacted, the victim said she knew her mail had been stolen, but wasn’t sure what to do and didn’t report the theft to law enforcement. […]

There are many morals to draw from this story, added Sigala. To stop mail theft, for instance, keep an eye on mailboxes outside the home and consider renting a locked mailbox at the post office. Consider having a pension check paid directly into your bank account rather than dropped in a box. […]”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is on the rise — it is one of the most common ways thieves obtain sensitive financial information including checks, bills, etc. To protect yourself, use a high security locking mailbox like Mail Boss. Ask for it by name at any Ace Hardware. In addition, be sure not to send sensitive mail like checks from an unsecured mailbox. Bring them to the post office or use online bill pay — it’s more secure.

Washington County Police Beat 4/12/2011
Observer-Reporter – 4/12/11

(WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA) “[…] Mail reported stolen: Danielle Lashinski of 636 Fayette St. told Washington police Friday that mail, including Social Security checks, was stolen from her mailbox. […]”

COMMENTS: Very private information such as social security checks, bank account information, and more come in your residential mailbox. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to protect your privacy with a high-security mailbox like the Mail Boss.

Identity Theft Linked to Mail Thefts?
Sherman Oaks Patch – 4/12/11

(SHERMAN OAKS, CALIFORNIA) “Last month, Sherman Oaks Patch reported on several incidents of mail theft in the neighborhood north of the 101 Freeway. Now it turns out that one resident of that area appears to have been a victim of identity theft by thieves apparently using his Social Security number.

The Neighborhood Watch group in that part of Sherman Oaks has been alerting residents about the possibility of mail theft ever since mail was stolen from two houses on Hatteras Street between Hazeltine and Tyrone avenues.

The apparent victim of identity theft lives on Hatteras, although police aren’t certain that this latest incident is related to the theft of mail.

If you are not at home, Neighborhood Watch captain Karen Cini is urging people to “ask your neighbors to watch for any packages that get delivered.”

During income-tax season, mail thefts become more prevalent. So far, no thefts of tax-refund checks have been reported in the neighborhood.

[…] The U.S. Postal Service has issued these guidelines for protecting mail:

1. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you are expecting checks or credit cards.
2. If you don’t receive a check you are expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
3. Always deposit your mail in the mail slot at your local post office, or hand it to your letter carrier.
4. Never send cash or coins in the mail; use checks or money orders instead.
5. If you change your address, immediately notify your post office and anyone with whom you do business.

COMMENTS: A few very important comments here. First, of course identity theft is linked to mail theft. Research indicates the most common way thieves obtain your sensitive information for identity theft is through low-tech methods: stolen wallets/purses, stolen trash, and stolen mail. It is very easy for criminals to simply walk by your mailbox and, unnoticed, remove a plethora of personal and financial documents.

Second, although the neighborhood watch captain recommends being on alert for packages delivered, that is not the problem. It’s true, your packages may be stolen, and in that case you would be out the cost of the value of the item. On the other hand, if your mail is stolen and the thief can successfully steal your identity, you’re looking at huge expenses and vast amounts of time spent to repair your credit.

Last, the USPS omits the most important way of protecting your mail from identity thieves. Of course they have a vested interest in residents continuing to trust (and use) the postal service. But the reality is that mail theft is a real and serious problem. The best defense to secure your incoming mail is a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss. Simply retrieving your mail “promptly” is not adequate, since many mail thieves are so brazen they follow postal carriers! The Mail Boss is available near Sherman Oaks at Koontz Hardware, Franklin’s Hardware, and Busy Bee Hardware.

Tulsa Police: 600 Victims In Burglary Bust
FOX 23 – 4/8/11

(TULSA, OKLAHOMA) “A burglary bust turns into something much more elaborate and they are still counting the number of victims. Tulsa Police Burglary detectives say they’ve arrested several suspects in connection to checks being stolen from businesses, homes, cars and mailboxes. Right now there are 600 reported victims.

[…] When Gaile Spengel’s step-sister put up the red flag on the mailbox she had no idea it wasn’t going to be the mailman picking up her bills. […] She learned thieves swiped her checks and spent almost $500 at area Wal-Mart’s. […] Another check that she wrote to PSO for $70.00 was altered and written to another Wal-Mart for $170.00. Then another check to Windstream Communications for $78.97 was changed to $168.97 at a third Wal-Mart.

[…] However, police say it’s easy for these thieves and the frauds are not messing around.

“We found some checks where they attempted to get rid of the writing on it and put it to another person. We found tax documents. We are finding all kinds of information. They steal routing numbers, the bank numbers, if they know what to go after they are able to clone checks essentially,” says Tulsa Police Burglary Sergeant Brandon Watkins. “It’s a pretty slick, very good operation going on. Fairly professional operation of thieves.”

[…] “As I am typing in addresses of victims I am seeing mailbox, after mailbox after mailbox and there is no telling what our final victim count will be,” says Watkins. Right now there are 600 reported victims. “We’ve seen some coming in from California, Indiana these are checks that are coming in to our state from all over the place,” says Watkins. Police say no one is specific target.

“You hit enough mailboxes, eventually there are going to hit some with checks in it or newly ordered checks,” says Watkins. Spengel says there won’t be anymore red flags up on their mailboxes. “I take everything to the post office for the both of us. We just make a list, make a stack and once or twice a week I take stuff to the post office and drop it off,” says Spengel.

Police say the thieves are also stealing new boxes of checks from mailboxes and homes. They recommend that you get your checks mailed to the bank, workplace or a secure location. Many may argue people need to change to online bill pay but for some families they are uncomfortable with the Internet and do not feel safe. Some recommend you pay your bill over the telephone. […]”

Police say this is a friendly reminder to check your bank statements and make sure they are not fraudulent charges. The Tulsa Police Fraud Unit is also investigating these crimes. […]”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is a real and growing problem, and one of the most common ways thieves obtain your information for identity theft. Thieves target mailboxes to steal incoming mail which includes a plethora of personal financial information including bank account statements, social security checks, utility bills and more. All of these documents (the same ones most people diligently shred before discarding) can be used for identity theft, and it only takes one second when they reside in an unlocked curbside mailbox. Similarly, thieves can steal outgoing mail which often includes checks, bill payments and account information.

To protect yourself from the growing threat of mail-identity theft, there are several things residents need to do: (1) Get a high security locking mailbox like Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. It is available for $159 at your local Ace Hardware, and will keep your incoming mail, checks, etc. safe from would-be identity thieves. (2) Never send sensitive documents or checks from an unsecured mailbox. Bring bill payments directly to the post office, or use online bill pay – it’s more secure. And as always, shred sensitive documents (most of which come in the mailbox) before discarding them to thwart dumpster divers.

Dozens of potential victims in northwest-side identity theft ring, officers say
KENS 5 – 4/8/11

(SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS) “It is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country, and on Friday morning, San Antonio police were helping to prevent it.

Officers busted what they said is an identity theft ring that has been operating on the city’s northwest side.

Police have identified 70 different victims after discovering boxes of stolen personal information inside an apartment in the 3400 block of Oakdale at Sage Crossing.

While in the apartment making an arrest of an auto theft suspect, officers told KENS 5 they observed piles of mail stacked up and immediately remembered the string of mailbox burglaries occurring citywide.

Officers found checks, identification documents, income tax refund checks, child support payments, driver’s licenses and other mail stolen from residential mailboxes.

Police say this particular case could have led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit card fraud and could have ruined innocent people’s credit histories.”

COMMENTS: Identity theft rings are highly sophisticated and are often fueled by methamphetamine addiction. The people at the bottom go around collecting sensitive personal and financial information in very low-tech methods: by stealing from your mailbox, for example. They can trade stolen mail for cash or drugs to others who then compile the personal information to use fraudulently. This is very common.

Most people do not realize when their mail has been stolen, as most thieves are savvy enough to leave junk mail and other items of little value to them in the mailbox, thereby leaving victims unsuspecting. Authorities often recommend to “check your mail regularly” to prevent mail theft, but this is not an adequate defense since thieves are so brazen they follow the postal carriers, stealing mail in broad daylight!

To protect yourself from the growing crime of mail-identity theft, use a high security locking mailbox like Mail Boss – it can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver, and keeps your mail safe from would-be identity thieves.

Sudbury Police Respond to Two Larceny Cases
Sudbury Patch – 4/8/11

(SUDBURY, MASSACHUSETTS) “Two reports of alleged larceny were answered by the Sudbury Police Department Thursday. The first call came in at about 9:56 a.m. from a Dutton Road resident. According to Sgt. John Harris, the resident said mail was stolen from the property. Harris said the resident was referred to the U.S. Postal Inspector. No other information was available.”

COMMENTS: Keep thieves from stealing your personal information for identity theft right out of your mailbox. Most people shred sensitive documents before throwing them in the trash because they worry about criminals finding their bills and the like at the dump. But those very same documents sit in their unlocked mailbox outside, vulnerable for any passerby to steal. The fact of the matter is that mail theft is common, but the solution is simple: Get the Mail Boss locking security mailbox – it can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver.

Postal inspectors target ‘volume’ mail theft, offer free security upgrades to apartment complexes
ABC 15 – 4/7/11

(PHOENIX, ARIZONA) “Mail theft is causing a big problem for some residents around the Valley.

“It’s stressful, it really is stressful,” said Alyssa Clay, who tells ABC15 her mail was stolen twice in the past six months.

Clay said she has a typical mailbox and has come home to find it propped open and said someone even stole a food stamp card before.

Postal inspectors target these thieves and are also dealing with criminals who target apartment complexes and homeowner’s associations.

According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service website, Phoenix and Tucson are two of the few areas dealing with a distinct problem: ‘volume,’ or bulk, mail theft.

“Anything they think might have been mailed, they’re looking for,” said Postal Inspector Patricia Armstrong. […] Armstrong noted thieves are often looking for bills, checks or other personal identifiers. […]”

COMMENTS: Volume mail thefts are very common because thieves can steal everyone’s mail at one time. What’s frustrating is residents don’t have much “choice” when it comes to what kind of mailbox they have. For homeowners with curbside mailboxes, a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver is a must. When you think about all the sensitive information that comes in your mailbox, it really is important to keep that information from would-be thieves.

Redmond Police Blotter: April 6
Redmond Patch – 4/6/11

(REDMOND, WASHINGTON) “The following incidents occurred between 6 a.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday. […] 11:59 a.m., 2400 block of W Lake Sammamish Parkway: A mail theft was reported.”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is increasingly common and thieves use the information they steal for identity theft. We are actually a Redmond-based family owned company committed to the manufacturing and distribution of security locking mailboxes for identity theft prevention, and it all started when owner David Bolles, resident of East Lake Sammamish Parkway, had his mail stolen three times. He couldn’t find a quality product at the local big-box stores and hence, the Mail Boss was born. The Mail Boss stops mail thieves with patented security features, and is available at your local Ace Hardware or Fred Meyer.

Thief went on shopping spree after raiding resident’s mailbox: Medina Police Blotter
Sun News – 4/6/11

(MEDINA, OHIO) “CREDIT CARD THEFT, N. JEFFERSON: A thief stole a credit card from the mailbox of a N. Jefferson Street apartment resident, then charged at least $712 to the account. The total may run higher because there are other pending charges with the bank. The victim notified police on March 31. No arrests have been made in the case. […]”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is one of the most common ways thieves obtain your financial information for identity fraud and identity theft. To protect yourself, use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss. This keeps your sensitive personal information out of the hands of would-be identity thieves.

Man arrested on mail theft charges; Proctor also charged with drug possession
The Hermiston Herald – 4/6/11

(HERMISTON, OREGON) “Hermiston Police arrested Russell Proctor, 35, April 1 on four counts of mail theft and illegal drug possession. Mail theft is a felony. […] After searching the home, fisheries enforcement officers called the Hermiston Police Department for assistance.

“We honored their request, and seized several items,” said HPD Lt. Jason Edmiston. Among the items police found at the scene were stolen mail and illegal drugs. Proctor was charged with possession of meth, unlawful possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school and four counts of mail theft. […]”

COMMENTS: Most people on the west coast have heard of the rampant mail theft problem by now, and know that it is intricately linked to methamphetamine use and distribution. Both mail-identity theft and methamphetamine abuse are skyrocketing with no signs of abating.

To protect yourself from mail-identity thieves, use a high security locked mailbox like Mail Boss to secure incoming mail, do not send checks from your mailbox, and destroy sensitive documents (most of which come in your mailbox) before discarding them.

Retired Postman Falls Victim to Mail Theft and Bank Fraud
KRIS 6 – 4/5/11

(CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS) “Retired mailman Albino Mota spent 39 years delivering mail all over Corpus Christi but last month he says his mailbox was the scene of a crime.

“The door was hanging like that and I knew that I had closed it because every time I put something in there I make sure that it’s closed,” Mota said.

[…] Just a few days later, Mota says he was going through his bank statement and saw something was off. […] “That’s when he says he found someone had used his bank account number to make this fake check and cash it at a gas station for just a little more than 63 dollars.

[…] Mota tells us paying the bills takes a lot longer than it used to because now instead of taking the short walk to the mailbox he takes all his bills directly to the post office. “I don’t bother to put nothing in here no more,” Mota said. “I can’t even trust my own mailbox I know, it’s terrible,” Mota said.

And Mota tells that loss of trust in the system he served for nearly forty years is much worse than any financial loss could be.”

COMMENTS: I feel bad Mr. Mota has lost his faith in the system. At least in our neck of the woods, there has been a serious problem with the USPS for a long time, but it doesn’t have much to do with the institution itself. The problem is all the meth heads who are capitalizing on the trust of residents who receive their mail in, and send their mail from, an unsecured unlocked mailbox. In the mailbox would-be identity thieves can find a plethora of personal, sensitive and financial documents (the same ones we diligently shred) to use fraudulently. The solution is three-pronged, and Mr. Mota mentioned one aspect of it: DO NOT SEND checks from your mailbox – bring them directly to the post office. In addition use a high security locked mailbox like Mail Boss to protect incoming mail. Finally, always shred sensitive information (much of which comes in the mail) before discarding it.

Mail thief spotted taking payments from Cumming, Ga. mailbox
NorthFulton.com – 4/5/11

(CUMMING, GEORGIA) “A man called authorities after he spotted a black in color sports utility vehicle with dark windows pull up to his mailbox and remove an envelope containing his credit card payment.

The mailbox, 5000 block of Huntington Crest Lane, was targeted about 10:45 a.m. March 28, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s incident report.

The victim said he had the flag up on his mailbox, to indicate outgoing mail. He had an envelope with a $200 payment to his credit card company.

He has frozen his credit card account, just in case someone attempts to use his card number.”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is a serious and growing problem. It is one of the easiest ways for identity thieves to steal your personal financial information. It’s as simple as walking by your mailbox and “checking” your mail. To protect yourself, secure your incoming mail with a locked mailbox like Mail Boss. Never put your red flag up when sending sensitive bill payments or checks – this signals to thieves there are sensitive documents to steal. Instead, bring bill payments directly to the post office or use online bill pay. Last, always shred sensitive documents, most of which come in the mail, before discarding them to keep thieves from stealing your ID information from the trash.

Police Blotter for April 3
Newcastle-News.com – 4/3/11

(NEWCASTLE, WASHINGTON) “Mail theft: A man reported that mail was stolen from his mailbox, in the 11400 block of Southeast 87th Street, at about noon March 11. His postal carrier left a note in his mailbox notifying him that mail was stolen from his mailbox, and that it was found sitting in grass about two blocks away. […]”

COMMENTS: We are a Redmond based family-owned company that manufactures Mail Boss locking security mailboxes for mail-identity theft prevention. Patented security features make the Mail Boss nearly impossible to break into, and the Fast Trak Mounting Plate makes it easy to install. Find the Mail Boss at your local hardware store!

Hercules police arrest two on suspicion of mail theft
San Jose Mercury News – 4/2/11

(HERCULES, CALIFORNIA) “Two people were arrested Friday in connection with a string of mail robberies in Hercules, police said.

Kimisha Henderson, 24, of Antioch, and Lanetra Beard, 27, of Pittsburg, are suspected of robbing mail from about 20 addresses, Hercules police Sgt. Thomas Koeppe said in a release. They were booked into the Martinez County Jail on fraud, forgery and identity theft charges, as well as possessing stolen property and probation violation, Koeppe said.

Henderson and Beard were seen in a blue Dodge Neon stealing mail on the 100 block of Violet Road at about 8:30 a.m. Friday, Koeppe said. A resident saw the two discarding the unwanted mail and called police, Koeppe said.

Police spotted the car at a Hercules Shell station on San Pablo Road, where mail was found in trash cans and in the vehicle, Koeppe said. Henderson and Beard were taken into custody at the gas station without incident. […]”

COMMENTS: In Silicon Valley, mail theft has been a real and growing problem for many years. Residents need to protect their identity with a high security locking mailbox to keep would-be identity thieves from stealing your personal information. In your mailbox thieves can find bank account statements, preapproved credit card offers, tax documents, courtesy checks, utility bills and more. They may take what is useful to them and leave the junk mail, so victims may not even realize their mail has been stolen. Most identity theft victims in fact do not know how their information was stolen!

Mail Boss is made of 12- and 14-gauge galvanized powder coated steel and has patented security features to deter leveraged entry and prevent fishing. Ask for the Mail Boss by name at your local hardware store.

Friday Log: Recovered Stolen Nissan and Mail Theft
Hercules Patch – 4/1/11

(HERCULES, CALIFORNIA) “Mail Theft: A resident reported two individuals in a blue Dodge Neon stealing mail in the 100 block of Violet. The vehicle license plate was #5LJA396. The witness also saw mail being thrown from the vehicle as it left the area. Patrol units located the vehicle at the Shell station in Hercules. Both occupants were detained and arrested after the witness identified them. Stolen mail was located in the vehicle, in the garbage can adjacent to where the car was located, and on the roadway in the area described by the witness. This is an ongoing investigation and victims are being contacted. Both subjects were transported to County Jail and booked for Burglary, Fraud, Forgery, Identity Theft, Petty theft with Priors, and Conspiracy. […]”

Alaska woman gets 6 months for stolen checks
Connecticut Post – 4/1/11

(FAIRBANKS, ALASKA) “An Alaska woman who pleaded guilty to stealing checks from North Pole residents has been sentenced to six months in jail in Fairbanks.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that Jane Kocsis was accused of stealing mail from banking institutions and using stolen checks to purchase merchandise from more than a half-dozen businesses. […]”

COMMENTS: Just as residents must take precautions to protect their mail, businesses too need to be aware of the growing threat of mail fraud and identity theft. Thieves can find their customers sensitive financial information in business mail, and use that information fraudulently to commit identity theft. A good option for businesses is the Mail Boss Package Master, because it accommodates small packages as well as incoming and outgoing legal sized documents. In Fairbanks, you can find the Mail Boss locking security mailboxes at Fred Meyer.

Woman arrested for mail theft: Reportedly took material from rural mail boxes south of London
The Times-Tribune – 4/1/11

London woman charged with 4 counts of stealing mail from rural mailboxes
Daily Reporter – 4/1/11

(LONDON, KENTUCKY) “A Laurel County woman has been charged with stealing from rural mailboxes.

Sheriff John Root said 39-year-old Kennithea Beatrice Clark of London was arrested Wednesday on four counts of theft of mail matter.

Root said a mail carrier and other witnesses reported Clark was seen taking mail and a search of her mobile home found stolen mail, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. […]”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is a leading cause of identity theft, so residents need to take precautions to protect themselves. Use a high security locking mailbox that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. One affordable option is the Mail Boss, which you can find at your local hardware store for under $200.

Staunton woman sentenced in mail-theft ring
News-Virginian – 3/31/11

(STAUNTON, VIRGINIA) “A Staunton Circuit Court judge sentenced April Brown, 28, of Staunton, to one year and two months in prison for her participation in a mail theft ring. […] Police said Brown, along with two other people, would steal outgoing checks from mailboxes and attempt to cash them at area Food Lion grocery stores. Starting in June, the trio targeted homes along Preston Drive, Parkview Avenue and Spring Hill Road, police said.

COMMENTS: This mail theft ring has been in the news in Staunton for quite some time now. Hopefully this media coverage has generated increased awareness of the growing problem of mail-identity theft, and residents have taken the necessary precautions to protect themselves. Specifically, everyone should use a secure mailbox like Mail Boss to protect incoming mail. No one should send sensitive mail from an unsecured mailbox. And as always, people need to shred their sensitive personal information before discarding it.

Police blotter – March 31
Lake Oswego Review – 3/31/11

(LAKE OSWEGO, OREGON) “[…] 3/28/11 9:11 a.m. A woman believes some of her mail was stolen after finding mail on the ground near her residence on O’Brien Street. […]”

COMMENTS: In many parts of Oregon, mail theft is a daily occurrence. Protect yourself with a high security locked mailbox like Mail Boss.

Loudoun County crime report
Washington Post – 3/30/11

(LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA) “[…] THEFTS/BREAK-INS: Watford St. N., 800 block, 9:23 a.m. March 21. Mail was stolen from a mailbox. […]”

COMMENTS: Preventing mail theft is easy – simply use a high quality locked mailbox to receive incoming mail, and never send sensitive outgoing mail from your home. Bring checks and bill payments directly to the post office or use online bill pay!

Greenacres Police Blotter
The Palm Beach Post News – 3/30/11

(GREENACRES, FLORIDA) “[…] CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: A man arrived home in the 3500 block of Mill Brook Way Circle to find his mail opened and strewn about on the street. […]”

COMMENTS: This should not be classified as criminal mischief. Sometimes people don’t understand why their mail is “messed with” and mistakenly assume it’s the same people who go around smashing their mailbox with a baseball bat. In actuality, it’s a whole other breed of crime, better classified as identity theft, and the perpetrators are typically methamphetamine addicts working in highly complex rings to gather sensitive information to use for identity fraud. It is one of the most common ways ID thieves steal your sensitive financial documents, and nowhere is immune. To protect yourself use a high security locking mail box like the Mail Boss.

Silicon Valley Police Blotter
San Jose Mercury News – 3/30/11

(LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA) “[…] Bicknell Road, 4:09 p.m. Sunday Mail was reported stolen. […]”

COMMENTS: This is really nothing new in the Los Gatos area. Mail theft happens on a daily basis here and has for some time. If you do not have a locking mailbox like the Mail Boss, you are vulnerable. If you send checks or bill payments from your mailbox, you are vulnerable. If you discard your mail and sensitive documents without first shredding them, you are vulnerable. Cover your bases and you greatly reduce the risk of being a victim of identity theft, the fastest growing crime in the nation.

Bloomfield: Police blotter, March 29
Bloomfield Life – 3/29/11

(BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY) “[…] THEFT: A Washington Street resident reported an unknown individual as periodically stealing mail from a locked mailbox March 28. […]”

COMMENTS: Many people mistakenly believe if they buy a locking mailbox their mail will not be stolen. Sadly, most locking mailboxes can be easily violated in just seconds with a screwdriver, and many like this competitor’s mailbox (available in the big-box stores) can even be fished by hand! Thieves may even target these so-called “secure” mailboxes because many people with locked mailboxes do not tend to be as vigilant about regularly checking their mail (credit small). Therefore sometimes these competitors’ locking mailboxes – which are easy to break into – have more valuable mail in them than non-locked mailboxes would. Regardless, if you are going to spend the money on a locking mailbox – and you should – make sure it’s a high quality secure mailbox made of heavy-gauge steel that cannot be fished by hand or easily pried open.

Police Blotter for March 28
The Newcastle News – 3/28/11

(NEWCASTLE, WASHINGTON) “Mailbox vandalism and theft: A man reported that the lock on his mailbox, 11800 block of Southeast 78th Street, had been punched between noon March 9 and noon March 10, causing $20 in damage. He believed some mail might have been taken.

A man reported that mail was stolen from his mailbox, in the 11800 block of Southeast 78th Street, between noon and 2 p.m. March 12. He said all the mailboxes in front of his house were propped open. There was no damage done to the mailbox or its lock. […]”

COMMENTS: Just because your mailbox has a lock on it does not mean it is secure! Many locking mailboxes have low quality locks on them that can be easily punched out or picked. The Mail Boss features a 7-pin brass core tube lock that is exceedingly difficult to pick or punch out. To protect your identity, make sure you invest in a quality locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that cannot be easily picked, pried or fished.

Alleged Thief Charged with Receiving Stolen Property: CV Sheriff’s Deputies said they found other people’s credit cards, mail and coin collection after routine traffic stop.
La Cañada Flintridge Patch – 3/22/11

(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) “The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed charges Tuesday against a man Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s deputies say they found in possession of other people’s property.

Authorities arrested Charles Labbe, 22, of Altadena Friday after a traffic stop, said Sgt. Ray Harley.

Deputies pulled over Labbe at 6 p.m. Friday for a seatbelt violation, but searched his car after they discovered a warrant for his arrest on a Malibu drug charge. After searching the vehicle, deputies found pieces of mail and credit cards allegedly belonging to other people, as well as a stamp collection and a coin collection, Harley said, noting the property allegedly belongs to two La Cañada residents. He did not know the value of the collections. […]”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is a serious problem across the nation, and one of the leading causes of identity theft. Thieves can simply walk by your mailbox and take sensitive financial information and other valuables received in the mail. They are rarely caught, but when they are arrested they are often given little more than a slap on the wrist since it is considered a “white collar” non-violent crime. To prevent mail-identity theft, homeowners need to use a high security lockable mailbox like the Mail Boss that cannot be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. In the Los Angeles area, go to any Ace Hardware including Crown Ace to get the Mail Boss.

Mail tampering, graffiti, and more
Trib Local Naperville – 3/22/11

(NAPERVILLE, ILLIONOIS) “The following items were taken from Naperville police reports. Theft: Two checks were taken from a mailbox between noon and 6 p.m. Feb. 26 in the 1100 block of Sherman Avenue. […]”

COMMENTS: To stop mail theft, never send checks or bill payments from an unsecured mailbox; instead bring them directly to the post office or use online bill pay – it’s more secure. In addition, use a high quality locked mailbox like the Mail Boss to secure incoming mail.