Sheriff's Office

Mail Theft - How to Protect Yourself

Every day, the U.S. Postal Service delivers millions of checks, money orders, credit cards and other valuable items. Unfortunately, these items of value are also attractive to thieves. Here are a few tips to protect your mail from being stolen:

• Never send cash or coins in the mail. Use checks or money orders.
• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other
negotiable items. If you won't be home when the items are expected, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
• Have your local post office hold your mail while you're on vacation, or absent from your home for a long period of time.
• If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
• Always deposit your mail in a mail slot at your local post office, or hand it to your letter carrier.
• Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends
and neighbors, you can watch each other's mailboxes (as well as homes). If you observe a mail thief at work, call local law enforcement immediately, and then call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.