Mail Theft Monday – 10/30/17

Burglars arrested for mail theft in Summit
KUTV – 10/27/17

(SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO) “Two people, identified as Natosha Louise Alvarado, 38, and Juan Jose Rodriguez, 26, were arrested for stealing mail on the evening of Wednesday, October 25.

Just after midnight, a Summit County resident contacted the local Sheriff’s Office to report a suspicious vehicle parked in their driveway.”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is an ongoing problem in all states, some states have a higher volume of mail theft than others but regardless it can happen in your area. Thieves are targeting incoming and outgoing mail at residential, businesses and cluster boxes alike. They are looking for sensitive information to use for check forgery and/or identity theft, and nowhere is safe.

To protect yourself – (1) use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open, (2) never send mail from an unsecured mailbox – take checks to the post office or better yet use online bill pay – it’s more secure, and (3) always shred sensitive documents before discarding them to thwart dumpster divers, but remember most of what you shred comes in your mailbox!

Mail theft in Sarasota
My Suncoast – 10/27/17

(SARASOTA, FLORIDA) “Officers of the Sarasota Police Department are currently investigating three incidents of mail theft.

According to an SPD Facebook post, at some time Wednesday night, three different drop boxes, located at US Post offices throughout the city were tampered with and all the mail was stolen from the boxes.”

COMMENTS:  It is important to remember that thieves target high volume mail mailboxes (cluster mailboxes/businesses/etc.) just as they target residential mailboxes. Businesses and mailboxes that take high volume mail should use high security locking mailboxes to secure their sensitive incoming mail, and as with residences, businesses should refrain from sending sensitive documents or checks from their unsecured mailbox. A good option for businesses is the Mail Boss Package Master because it has space for legal sized documents in outgoing mail, and has a higher capacity to securely store incoming mail and packages, in comparison with the Mail Boss.

Ripon police recover 1,000-plus pieces of stolen mail, arrest 3 suspects
The Modesto Bee – 10/27/17

(RIPON, CALIFORNIA) “More than 1,000 pieces of stolen mail, along with stolen credit cards and other evidence of identity theft, were recovered by Ripon police during arrests this week.
Three Stockton residents have been booked into jail on charges that include possession of stolen property, conspiracy and unlawful use of personal identification.

[…]”While speaking to the occupants, officers determined the suspects could be involved in the theft of US mail,” Merchant said in the release. “A vehicle search was conducted. Officers located over 1,000 pieces of stolen mail from Manteca and Elk Grove. ”
Detectives joined the investigation and immediately called the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to assist.
The suspects arrested are Jeanne Macias Mendoza, 43; Lom Van Nguyen, 41; and Kimi Kollette Matsuno, 45.”

COMMENTS: The Postal Inspection Service offers tips on protecting mail from theft, including:

-Use the letter slots inside your post office for your mail, or hand it to a letter carrier.
-Don’t send cash in the mail.
-Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
-If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
-If you change your address, immediately notify your post office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.

There is a Postal Inspection Service hot line that should be called: 877-876-2455 or visit their site for more information (website).

Police recovers $80,000 in checks stolen from South Bay homes
The Mercury News – 10/25/17

(SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA) “A 27-year-old man was arrested over the weekend in Saratoga after sheriff’s deputies reportedly found him in possession of more than $80,000 in stolen checks.

Justin Rucker is suspected of stealing mail, credit cards and checks from at least 130 residences in San Jose, Los Gatos and Saratoga, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said.

[…]The sheriff’s office said residents should call 408-299-2311 if they believe they are victims of mail or identity theft. In addition, victims can sign up for credit monitoring, place a fraud alert with one of the major credit bureaus and check their statements for unauthorized activity. More information is available at www.idtheftcenter.org and www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

Residents can reduce their chances of becoming a victim of mail theft by installing a locking mailbox, which require approval from the U.S. Postal Service, the sheriff’s office said.”

COMMENTS: Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country! Do not send checks in the mail. Also, people need to use a high security locking mailbox like the MAIL BOSS – which can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver – to prevent mail identity theft. You get credit card statements, bank account information and more in your mailbox. LOCK IT UP – with the Mail Boss/Mail Manager or Package Master.

 

 

 

Savage police detective tracks down “Godfather” of mail theft
Shakopee Valley News – 10/21/17

(SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO) “Two people, identified as Natosha Louise Alvarado, 38, and Juan Jose Rodriguez, 26, were arrested for stealing mail on the evening of Wednesday, October 25.

Just after midnight, a Summit County resident contacted the local Sheriff’s Office to report a suspicious vehicle parked in their driveway.”