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: January 2015
Jan. 1: PLEASANTON, California: KTVU – Three arrested after stolen car spotted in Pleasanton; “Officers who searched the stolen vehicle found numerous items, including personal identifying information and stolen mail belonging to dozens of victims throughout the Bay Area.” Jan. 2: GOLD BAR, Washington: KOMO 4 – Thieves hit Gold Bar post office, steal mail from locked boxes; “Someone broke…
Mail-Identity Theft: February 2015
Here is a round-up of mail theft news and mail-related identity theft from across the nation in February 2015. Feb. 2: LIVINGSTON, California: Merced Sun-Star – Livingston man accused of mail theft; “Officers conducted a search of the suspect’s room and discovered nearly 65 pieces of mail belonging to people and addresses. Officers contacted several of the people whose mail…
Mail-Identity Theft: April 2015
Here is a round-up of mail theft news and mail-related identity theft from across the nation in April 2015.
Mail Identity Theft – June 2015
Here is a round up of mail-identity theft related news stories from across the United States in June 2015. June 1: ORANGEBURG, South Carolina: WISTV 10 – Orangeburg deputies in search of those responsible for mailbox damage; ““The damage done to each mailbox is serious. Mail cannot be legally left in an unsecured mailbox,” Ravenell said. “Medicine could be delayed,…
Mail-Identity Theft – July 2015
Stolen mail is a leading cause of identity theft, and it’s happening across the nation every day. Here’s the news on mail-ID theft from the US in July 2015. July 1: SANDPOINT, Alaska: KDLG Public Radio – Sand Point Post Office burglars sentenced: Two men have been sentenced in U.S. District Court to serve 21 months in federal prison for…
Mail Identity Theft: August 2015
Here is a round-up of mail and identity theft news stories from across the nation in the month of August. Remember, prevention is key, and it starts with a secure locking mailbox! Aug. 1: LYNNWOOD, Washington: HeraldNet.com – Woman held as police investigate allegedly stolen mail; “Armed with a court order, police searched the vehicle July 28 and recovered the…
Scary Mail Theft Facts
IdentityTheft.org provides shocking information on mail identity theft IdentityTheft.org is an informative website that offers information on mail theft and identity theft, as well as ID Theft prevention tips. This site reports that the first step in prevention is a secure locking mailbox. Below are some of the facts and information they provide on mail identity theft: Postal Inspectors report…
Mail Theft Monday – 11/23/09
Phenix city pair sentenced for Enterprise mail theft Dothan Eagle – 11/22/09 (PHENIX CITY, ALABAMA) “A federal judge sentenced a Phenix City pair last week to serve three months in prison for stealing mail from a mailbox in Enterprise. Federal court records show both [Crews] and [Gordon] were sentenced on Friday to the three-month term in federal prison. […] A…
Mail Theft Monday – 2/22/10
We do apologize for this “lazy” version of Mail Theft Monday with no fantastically insightful commentary. We will return to your normally scheduled programming next Monday! Without further ado, here is a week in mail identity theft and stolen mail cases: Newberry County officials looking for suspects in stolen mail case WACH “Try to take your mail inside the post…
Mail Theft Monday – 4/12/10
ALERT: Mail Theft in Downtown Multi-Unit Building Downtown Muse – 4/3/10 (LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) “Downtown Los Angeles residents and businesses should be aware of recent mail thefts in the area and take precautions to protect the identities, finances, and mail of themselves and their neighbors. Security camera footage discovered on Friday, April 3, 2010 shows a man and a woman…
