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 – November 2013
Oh my gosh, so much holiday mail-identity theft and we’re so behind. Here’s the abridged round up from November, featuring only the most outrageous and interesting stories! Nov. 1: SIERRA VISTA, Arizona: KJZZ.org – Woman Steals Credit Card From Mailbox Nov. 3: RIPON, California: The Record – Mail theft in Ripon on rise Nov. 4: BEVERLY HILLS, California: KTLA 5…
Mail-Identity Theft: January 2014
Mail-identity theft news and reports across the nation in January 2014: Jan. 1: TEMPLE, Texas: Temple Daily Telegram – Central Texas Mail Box Break-ins: Postal thieves targeted money and gift cards HOLLAND, Texas: Killeen Daily Herald – Thieves target outgoing mailboxes WAPPAPELLO, Missouri: KFVS 12 – Alleged mail theft in Wappapello, MO Jan. 2: BASTROP COUNTY, Texas: KEYE TV –…
Mail-Identity Theft: March 2014
Each month, we continue to be shocked by the increasing prevalence of stolen mail and mail-identity theft related crimes. This is a growing trend across the nation. Some things we have noticed: Most victims don’t realize when their mail has been stolen until the perpetrator is caught (usually with stolen mail) Thieves arrested for mail theft typically do not spend…
Mail-Identity Theft: February 2014
February was a short month, but the mail thieves made the most of just 28 days. Feb. 1: VANCOUVER, Washington: FOX 12 – Man catches suspected mail thief on camera BAKERSFIELD, California: ABC 23 – Woman in west Bakersfield says someone stole community mailbox in the middle of the night Feb. 2: GUERNSEY COUNTY, Ohio: Daily Jeffersonian – Law enforcement…
Mail Identity Theft – May 2014
Here is the round up of mail identity theft from across the nation in May 2014. May 1: SAN DIEGO, California: CBS8.com – Fed-up victim takes on mail thieves, again May 2: LAS VEGAS, Nevada: MyNews3.com – Rip-Off Alert: Thieves steal mail to aid check-washing scam
Mail Identity Theft – August 2014
Here is the round up of mail identity theft in August 2014 from across the nation, including reports of stolen mail, mail thief arrests, and identity theft rings uncovered. Wichita, Kansas and areas of California were particularly hard hit this month. To prevent mail theft, a leading cause of the ID theft, use a locking mailbox, don’t send checks from…
Mail Identity Theft – September 2014
Mail stolen, and Mail identity theft from across the country in September 2014. Sept. 2: LAS VEGAS, Nevada: KSNV – Rip-Off Alert: Sophisticated ID theft ring upended Sept. 3: DALLAS, Texas: The Dallas Morning News – 3 get prison time for stealing mail in Dallas HESPERIA, California: Daily Press – Four arrested after attempting to cash stolen checks Sept. 4:…
Mail Identity Theft – October 2014
Mail identity theft, mail thief arrests, and stolen mail from the United States in October 2014. According to research, stolen mail is a leading cause of ID theft, and responsible for 80% of consumer fraud. However, it can be easily prevented with the use of a security locking mailbox, along with other prevention strategies. Oct. 1: SAUSALITO, California: Marin Scope…
Mail Identity Theft – November 2014
Oh boy, the mail thieves have been busy this month, especially in the last couple of weeks. This time of year is when people start sending checks, gift cards, and other goodies in the mail, so crooks are on the prowl. Be sure to lock up your mailbox and take precautions when sending gifts through the mail. Remember, using a…
Holiday Mail-Identity Thefts – December 2014
December is by far the worst month for mail theft, and the reason is obvious. Opportunistic thieves know that people are sending goodies and gifts in the mail. They target unlocked mailboxes, locking mailboxes and porches alike to grab what they can get, and steal Christmas. As you can see by the prevalence of mail and package theft over the…
