Mail Identity Theft
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States for the past 10 years, and affects over 10 million Americans each year.
Mail theft is a common way that identity thieves can steal your identity, and the 60 million unlocked mailboxes in the US offer a treasure trove of opportunity for would-be identity thieves.
Victims of mail theft often do not realize they have been victimized until their credit record and good name is ruined. Remedying the outcomes of fraud and identity theft requires thousands of dollars and hours of your time.
This section provides information about the prevalence of mail and identity theft, and the precautions you can take to protect yourself and your name.
Mail Identity Theft
- More than 1 in 20 Americans are victims of ID theft each year
- ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation
- Only 35% of ID theft victims know how their info was compromised
- The majority of known ID theft is perpetuated via low-tech methods: stolen wallets, stolen mail and stolen trash.
- Mail theft is highly under-reported because most people don’t realize when their mail has been stolen
Mail-Identity Theft – May 2015
Here is a round up of news stories featuring mail thieves targeting mailboxes to steal sensitive information for identity theft, mailbox burglaries, mail-identity theft, mailbox vandalism and more. These activities occur in big cities and rural areas alike, from Washington to Florida and most everywhere in between…
Mail-Identity Theft: September 2015
Stolen mail is a leading cause of identity theft across the nation. Prevention is key to identity theft protection, and the first defense is a secure locking mailbox. Here is a round-up of the mail-identity theft news stories from across the nation in September 2015. Sept. 1: ELK GROVE, California: Central Valley Business Times – Elk Grove woman admits to bank fraud…
Mail-Identity Theft: October 2015
Here is a curated selection of news reports of stolen mail and mail-related identity theft from October 2015 in the United States. Stolen mail continues to be a leading cause of ID theft. To protect yourself, (1) use a locking security mailbox, (2) never send checks or bill payments in the mailbox, and (3) always shred sensitive documents before discarding…
Mail Theft in Oakhurst, GA
Decatur PD warn mail thieves on the prowl in Oakhurst suburb Decatur Police Department recently sent a note to Oakhurst residents regarding ongoing mail theft. The letter is reprinted below: Oakhurst Residents, Please be advised we are currently experiencing mail thefts in the Oakhurst area. Suspects are taking outgoing mail from mailboxes prior to the mail carrier picking it up.…
SOLUS ID Says Identity Theft Originates with Mail Theft
Believe it or not, most identity theft originates from mail theft. If you value your financial records and wish to prevent identity theft, locking mailboxes have become a necessity in today’s world, and a good one can prevent your mail from being stolen and reduce the risk of identity theft. In a matter of seconds a thief can walk or drive up to your house, open your mailbox and walk or drive away with credit card statements, bank statements, and a number of other personal letters that have information about you and your family. You lock your front door and your car, so what not lock your mailbox? Locking secure mailboxes come in many different types but not all of them are created equal. Poor quality mailboxes offer little more than a moment’s annoyance to an experienced mail thief.
Mail Theft Monday – 5/17/10
Pair accused of mail theft: Police say woman passed $40,000 in bad checks The Spokesman-Review – 5/13/10 (SPOKANE, WASHINGTON) “An investigation into stolen mail led detectives to an identity theft scheme allegedly orchestrated by a Spokane woman they say was “kind of relieved” when she was arrested. “She told us we were good,” Spokane County sheriff’s Detective Dean Meyer said…
Mail Theft Monday 10/11/10
Mail theft reports grow Amarillo Globe-News – 10/9/10 (AMARILLO, TEXAS) “Amarillo has seen a jump in mail thefts in the last couple of weeks, authorities say [emphasis added]. About two years ago mail theft was occurring regularly, but the number of cases had since dwindled, police Cpl. Jerry Neufeld said. “Well, they’re back at it again,” Neufeld said. “Any way…
Mail Theft Monday – 11/15/10
Crime Watch: Latest property crimes reported in Clay County The Florida Times-Union – 11/14/10 (CLAY COUNTY, FLORIDA) Criminal Mischief […] Nov. 14 […] A mailbox was kicked over at a residence on White Owl Road, Orange Park. […] Two mail boxes and one post were damaged at two residences on Rivergate Drive, Eagle Harbor. A mail box and post were…
Mail-Identity Theft: 12/23/12-12/28/12
Woodland Hills, Georgia: Residents in Woodland Hills have reported suspected thieves rifling through their mailboxes. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions and report any suspicious activity immediately to police. Related article: North Druid Hills-Briarcliff Patch (12.26.11) – Woodland Hills Mail Tampering Alert COMMENTS: Mail theft is one of the most common ways thieves obtain your sensitive information for identity…
Mail Identity Theft – December 2013
The holidays are always a prime time for mail and package theft, with thieves trying to nab all the gift cards and goodies in the mail. December was a very busy month for mail-identity theft crime. So busy, in fact, it has taken us until February to curate all of these stories below: Dec. 1: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado: The Gazette…
