There have been reports of cars driving through neighborhoods during the early morning, late night hours – usually when you’re sound asleep. What are they doing? One thought is stealing mail…
Mail Theft in the United States is a federal crime and just one more way that criminals commit identity theft. Thieves will target retirement communities and areas where mailboxes are easily accessible. Sounds like Tellico Village, huh?
People who steal mail are looking for specific things. They are searching for personal information or anything that might contain account or credit card information. They are looking for checks and they are looking for gift cards or other monetary gifts you might receive for a special occasion.
Be aware that one target is also those junk credit card offers you receive. Criminals have been known to steal those, sign up for them in your name, reroute the actual card to their home and then use your credit limit in order to make purchases. Nowadays with self check out there is no one there to monitor who is using the card.
What you should do:
- Sign up with USPS for the free delivery notifications so you know what mail “should” be in your mailbox.
- Pick up your mail DAILY – don’t allow it to accumulate for several days.
- Hold your mail if you are going to be gone for any length of time. Or ask a neighbor to grab it for you.
- If you can, go to paperless billing. This will eliminate excess mail coming to your box.
- Shred, shred, shred anything with your name or any information on it. Take those junk mails and shred the first page with your name and address on it. Do not give someone an opportunity to use it.
- Outgoing Mail – Do not put outgoing mail (with your red flag up) the night before. You are asking for something to be taken. If you cannot take it to the post office yourself, then place it in the box in the morning for the carrier to pick up. One recommendation is to go to online banking and do not send checks in the mail. Criminals take your checks and fabricate new ones with your account number in order to steal your money. Watch this quick YouTube video for mail theft in Nashville – https://youtu.be/0TtDx718gBA
- Sending cards containing money, checks, or gift cards – still send the card but try to direct deposit or transfer the monetary gifts to your loved ones or send an E-Gift card. Yes, I know it’s not the same, but it will provide you the peace of mind that it actually arrived.
- If you have a security camera or RING / doorbell cam, try to see if you can point it in the direction of your mailbox. I know we all don’t want to continually catch passing traffic however during late night hours, especially here in Tellico Village, cars driving through the community can be suspicious.
- I have mentioned this before in other safety warnings – periodically check your credit report with the three major credit reporting bureaus (Experian, Trans Union and Equifax). As a consumer, you are allowed a free credit report yearly and some offer more often. You are looking for accounts opened that you are not aware of. Immediately report any suspicious activity to the credit bureau and contact the company and close the account. Place a security freeze on your account so that criminals cannot open any new accounts without proper authorization.
- Lastly if you do see something suspicious, take note and report it to the authorities.
Non-emergency numbers for the Sheriff’s Departments:
- Loudon County Sheriff Department at (865) 458-9081
- Monroe County Sheriff Department at (423) 422-4357
