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: Nov 27-Dec 6, 2011
The following are a round up of mail-identity theft reports, stolen mail police blotters, and mail theft advisories from across the nation, Nov. 27-Dec.6, 2011. Sierra Vista, ARIZONA:Postal authorities are advising residents in the Hereford area to collect their mail promptly, after several recent incidents of mail theft. Residents have found discarding mail strewn along the streets and even on…
Mail-Identity Theft: November 2015
This month. mail thieves have been quite busy. They target unlocked mailboxes or pry open low quality locking mailboxes to get sensitive information for identity theft. These crimes tend to peak in November and December, and also during tax season. To protect yourself, use a secure locking mailbox and never send checks or bill payments from an unsecured mailbox. Without further…
Mail Identity Theft: Dec 6-9, 2011
The following are a round up of mail-identity theft reports, stolen mail police blotters, and mail theft advisories from across the nation, Dec. 6-Dec. 9, 2011. Kansas City, MISSOURI: A nationwide counterfeit check ring based in Atlanta, Georgia is now operating in the Kansas City area, using the homeless to pass over $7 million in counterfeit checks. The ID theft…
Holiday Special! Mail Identity Theft Dec 9-21, 2011
The following are a round up of mail-identity theft reports, stolen mail police blotters, and mail theft advisories from across the nation, Dec. 9-Dec.14, 2011. Farmingville, NEW YORK: Two Farmingville women were arrested after stealing from cars and mailboxes. Police recovered over 100 pieces o.nf stolen mail, including some checks Related articles: Long Island News (12.21.11) – 2 Farmingville Women…
Mail Identity Theft- Dec. 19-23, 2011
The following are a round up of mail-identity theft reports, stolen mail police blotters, and mail theft advisories from across the nation, Dec. 19-Dec. 23, 2011. Trumansburg, NEW YORK: A mail thief is pilfering mailboxes in Trumansburg. Police have found discarded mail in the woods, and now residents are concerned about mail-identity theft. Related article: WENY TV (12.22.11) – Mail…
Mail-Identity Theft: Dec. 26-28, 2011
Seattle, WASHINGTON: A police officer training his K-9 unit stumbled upon mail theft in progress, and apprehended two individuals. The suspects were in possession of over 115 pieces of mail, and admitted to having stolen it. Related article: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (12.28.11) – Police: Seattle canine officer nabs mail thieves COMMENTS: Woohoo K-9 cop! Mail theft is a big problem in…
Mail-Identity Theft: The Last of 2011!
Here’s a round up of mail identity theft stories across the nation from December 27-30, 2011. Seriously, these posts span fewer and fewer dates as mail theft is on the rise across the nation. Trying to fit more than just a couple days of news into one blog post makes for a very long read. Well, without further ado, here…
Mail Stolen – Over 100 BIG stories from Jan 2012
Alright, here it is. A list of all the mail theft stories across the nation in the past month. We have given up on summarizing these stories here, because frankly, there are just too dang many of them! So here you have it… January in mail theft, list format! Would you believe it? There are literally over a hundred! And…
Mail, Identities Stolen in Feb 2012
Alright, here it is: a list of the mail-identity theft news stories across the nation for the past month. There are over 80 of them, and these are just the incidents being picked up by news agencies! So, we’re going to pass on summarizing these articles for you, but feel free to click through and have a look-see. You will notice some trends: If…
Mail Identity Theft – March 2012
Mar. 1: Coeur d’Alene, IDAHO: Coeur d’Alene Press – Identity theft ringleader pleads guilty Seattle, WASHINGTON: KOMO 4 – Identity theft continues to top FTC’s complaint list Mansfield, CONNECTICUT: Mansfield-Storrs Patch – Mansfield Trooper Makes Arrest in Stolen Mail Case Kingman, ARIZONA: Kingman Daily Miner – Authorities searching for suspected mail thief Mar. 2: Atlanta, GEORGIA: WSB 2 – Identity…
