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
Seattle Tacoma Mail Thieves on the Loose
King County Sheriffs ask for public’s help in finding couple A month ago, mail was stolen from homes in SeaTac. Among the mail taken was a new debit card with a PIN code. Now, the mail thieves have taken thousands from the victim’s account and the King County Sheriffs office is asking for help in finding these suspects. The story,…
Meth Addicts Stealing Mail in SLC
Deseret News of Salt Lake City, Utah reports “When high, they’re adept at altering documents” This story gives a clear picture of why meth addiction and mail theft fit neatly together. As reporter Dennis Romboy explains: “Meth addiction has reached epidemic proportions in Utah. It is the fastest growing illicit drug in the state, outpacing marijuana. More than a quarter…
53 Charged for Mail ID Theft in Greenville, SC
The Greenville News reports on dozens of cases of mail fraud in South Carolina Federal postal inspectors said that more than 50 people in South Carolina have been arrested for stealing mail or documents and committing mail fraud and identity theft. Postal inspectors say decline in the economy and increase in unemployment in Upstate South Carolina has added to the…
Mail Theft in Marin and San Francisco, CA
Marin Independent Journal reports women involved in huge mail theft case Two woman were arraigned in April 2009 in a mail theft and fraud case involving nearly 100 victims in Marin and San Francisco California. The case began with an investigation of methamphetamine distribution, and led to charges including identity theft, receiving stolen property and more when authorities discovered the two…
Stop the Junk Mail!
Rid Yourself of Junkmail and Safeguard your Identity
Sick of sorting through all that junkmail? If you’re like most Americans, your mailbox is flooded with a waste of time and resources. A typical year’s worth of junk mail in the United States uses 62 million trees and 25 billion gallons of water! More importantly, it puts you at greater risk for identity theft. Every pre-approved credit card offer you receive is an invitation for mail thieves to open a credit card in your name and rack up the bills, ruining your good name in the process.
To stop the flow of junk-mail, make a 30-second phone call to the Credit Bureaus Main Opt-Out Line at 888-567-8688. You will be connected to an automated voice response system and you can opt-out of all credit-related offers for two years or permanently. If at some later point you want the credit offers to start flowing again, you can call back. If you choose to never again receive those offers, you will receive a form in the mail to fill out and return. (If you don’t send it back, your “lifetime” opt-out is reduced to 2 years.
Mail Theft on the Rise
Coming to a Neighborhood Near You! So you think mail theft doesn’t happen in your neighborhood? All too often, we catch ourselves saying, “That kind of thing doesn’t happen around here.” Well guess what: it happens everywhere! Don’t believe me? Check out some of these examples: Salt Lake City, Utah – Police were looking into reports about an abandoned cargo…
Mail Boss in Best Life Magazine
“Fraud Alert: Guard your mail, telephone, and computer to help prevent identity theft” Identity theft can happen to anyone, but there are certain steps one can take to decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim. Jay Foley, an activist who runs the Identity Theft Resource Center, shares his expert advice with Best Life Magazine. First on his list for protecting…
What the USPS Won’t Tell You
Recently I received a letter from the United States Postal Service (USPS) with a list of tips aimed at protecting me from identity theft. There is a lot of common sense included here, as well as some good information. Among their recommendations are these points: If you applied for a credit card and didn’t receive it when expected, call the…
Dude, Where’s My Mail?
Across the nation, residents wonder if their mail is safe Have you seen your mail lately? Just because you go to your mailbox and open it up and find nothing in it doesn’t mean that you did not receive any mail that day. More than likely, it means that somebody else is walking around with your mail… or should I…
20 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft
According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is the most reported form of fraud. Identity theft and mail theft go hand-in-hand. While identity theft can involve the Internet and world wide web, most criminals don’t rely on technical savvy to steal personal information. They simply look for lost wallets, burglarize mailboxes, or dumpster dive for improperly disposed of records.…
