Mail thefts have been reported all over the country and in many Bucks County towns, including Newtown, Yardley, Upper and Lower Makefield, Solebury, and Northampton Township.
Federal penalties are in place for tampering with United States mail, but it doesn’t stop people from stealing your mail, checks, and even your identity. Mail theft and the altering of checks seem to be on the rise despite many tips the United States Postal Service and police departments have provided over the years.
Credit: USPS
Do The Following:
- Take the extra few seconds to park and walk your mail inside the post office for a safer delivery. Take mail to the Post Office counter and hand it to the clerk. If not available, use the letter slots inside the Post Office.
- Hand deliver it to a letter carrier.
- Bank online.
- Refrain from mailing checks or other negotiable items if possible. If you must send a check in the mail, use a gel pen to write checks; ballpoint pen ink can be easily washed off a check.
- Use plain white envelopes with company names, these tend to be easy targets. Refrain from sending cash or sensitive information in mail if possible. Monitor bank activity online and review bank statements.
- Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. If you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
- If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
- If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.
- Put a hold on your mail when you will be out of town and unable to pick up your mail.
Authorities recommend:
- Do not put checks in your personal mailboxes or in the blue post office mailboxes. Residents have reported to police incidents of ‘washed’ or altered checks.
- Do not send cash in the mail.
- Do not deposit mail into mailboxes after it’s been collected for the day.
- Avoid depositing mail during the night, Sundays, long weekends, and federal holidays.
- Never put mail in a collection box that is visibly overfilled.
- Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight.
Don’t become a victim and protect your identity by protecting your mail.
Share this information with friends, family and neighbors to prevent them from becoming a victim.
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