With the recent rise in mail theft, the U.S. Postal Service has released a new guidelines to help prevent robberies. Mailboxes and blue USPS collection boxes have been targeted the most.
Kathryn Woliung, U.S. Postal Inspector, said inspectors across the U.S. monitoring the mail but people should take extra precautions to protect their mail. She recommends not letting mail sit in a mailbox for more than a day and avoid leaving it overnight. If sending mail, one should either put it in the mailbox the day it will get picked up or drop it off at the post office.
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“If there’s concerns about security in your neighborhood, consider installing a lockable mailbox,” Woliung said. “You can always start a neighborhood watch program to watch your mailboxes and your homes.”
When checks are stolen, thieves use a method called “check washing”: using chemicals to erase the writing and put down a new amount or recipient.
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Woliung said people should make sure their home address is always up to date as well as allow the post office to hold mail when on vacation. People can also track package progress through text and email.
“Look at it as we don’t leave our cars unlocked, we don’t leave anything of value,” Woliung said. “We want it locked and secure; the mail is just as important as other items you have.”
One can submit a complaint or report a theft online at www.usps.gov/report or call (877)-876-2455.