After reading an associates blog about a recent mail theft incident, I thought I would post a list of prevention tips. These tips are provided by The City of Orinda, CA - but apply to everyone! Thank you City of Orinda, CA Police Department.
Tips to Prevent Theft from Residential Mailboxes and Collection Boxes
-DO NOT leave outgoing mail in your unlocked mailbox.
-DO deposit mail in a blue collection box or inside at your local post office. Use a collection box that is NOT FULL.
-Make sure your mailbox is in good condition. Mailboxes in poor condition often expose mail to theft and bad weather. Your local postmaster can advise you on current postal regulations and steps you can take to improve the condition of your mailbox.
-Promptly pick up your "Incoming" mail once it is delivered to your mailbox.
-Get together with neighbors and the Postal Service and arrange for the neighborhood delivery. These group mailboxes are known as Neighborhood Delivery and Collection Box Units (NDCBU). With an NDCBU mailbox, each address has an individual locked unit for delivery and collection. (Note; A minimum of seven neighbors are needed to sign a petition requesting a NDCBU.
-Purchase a locked mailbox or convert your unlocked box to a lockable type.
(Look in the telephone directory yellow pages or on the internet under "Mail Boxes" for some informational leads). On your locked box, make sure the mail slot is large enough and safe enough for the letter carrier to insert your mail. (Note: The mail carrier cannot pick up mail from this type of unit.)
-Arrange to have you mail delivered to a Post Office Box for a small fee.
-Consider having regular income checks deposited electronically right into your bank account via Direct Deposit. It's easy and in most cases, it's free! Contact your bank for details.
To avoid fraudulent use of your checking account in the event your mail is stolen (from your mailbox, from a blue collection box, from a postal vehicle or from your letter carrier), utilize the following suggestions when writing checks to pay your bills:
-Write out in full the payee and memo portions. Fill up the entire lines with letters or a squiggly line.
-Use thick, dark ink (red ink is best) to write your checks. Opt for roller-ball pens. Avoid felt-tip ones. -Purchase checks through institutions that use tamper-resistant paper and ink.
-Never send cash or coins through the mail. Always send a check or money order instead.
-Promptly report non-receipt of expected credit cards, checks, and other valuable mail to the senders.
-Immediately notify the post office and mailers if you change your address. If you are going on vacation, notify the post office, or have a trusted friend or neighbor pick up your mail promptly after delivery.
-Join a Neighborhood Watch Program Call your local Police Department/ Public Safety Department. Remember, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
-Be observant of activities on your street, including those near your letter carrier, his or her postal vehicle, residential mailboxes and collection boxes.
-IMMEDIATELY report any suspicious persons or activity by calling 9-1-1 while suspects are still present. Remember; do not jeopardize your safety, but BE A GOOD WITNESS!
-The Postal Service pays rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of mail thieves. Report suspect or crime information to Postal Inspectors, 877-876-2455.
-READ IT then SHRED IT!!
-Destroy anything with your name, address or other identifying information on it before discarding, especially credit card and home loan applications. Junk mail to you is a gold mine to a thief. They often use those discarded applications to open fraudulent credit accounts in names of unsuspecting victims.
Great tips - The US Postal Service has this to say:
"
U.S. Postal Inspectors:Protecting you from fraud.
Did you know...?
Every year American consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud. Today's popular schemes range from simple work-at-home scams to credit card and investment fraud; from identity fraud to Internet scams; from medical "cures" to fraudulent prizes, sweep-stakes and foreign lotteries.
You or any member of your family can become a victim of a fraud scheme. Fraudsters may approach you by e-mail, phone or the U.S. Mail.
Protect yourself and your family by following these tips:
-Check out offers before making a decision.
-Get all information in writing.
-Don't give personal information to people or companies you don't know.
-Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to scams.
-If you respond to even one of these "offers," your name will be added to a "mooch" list-and you'll be targeted again.
-Protect your parents or older relatives by sharing these tips with them. "
Thanks again to USPostal Service,and The City of Orinda CA Police Department. THis is great info to share with family, friends, neighbors, clients, customers, associates....everyone.
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