Mail theft is on the rise throughout the United States. The FBI and the USPIS have issued warnings this year alerting people that check fraud is rising, with a significant volume enabled through mail theft.
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Allow me to share a personal story. I signed up for Informed Delivery years back through the postal service. I receive a daily email showing me if I have mail pieces and/or packages with pictures of the mail pieces.
This allows me to know what to expect. Or, I thought so.
Last year, I noticed that two envelopes sent over three months didn’t arrive as scheduled. I contacted the senders, who were clients sending checks through the mail, advising them to cancel the checks.
At Christmas time, I noticed that envelopes had been “torn” (Christmas cards). And, 6 weeks ago, I saw a notice posted on the bank of locked boxes where I pick up my mail directing us to contact the Post Office Inspectors office to file a report.
I contacted the Inspector’s Office and completed the report. I was told to go to the main post office to collect my mail until they could fix the break-in. I learned this was happening throughout my area and across the US.
During these past weeks, I’ve met many in my community who have had this happen repeatedly since last year. One woman even had a video of a truck pulling the entire block of lock boxes out of the ground – these people were serious!
Concurrently, the FBI has reported that stolen checks and check fraud are rising. As this is tax season, I wanted to alert you.
If you can, have money deposited directly into your bank. When sending payments, consider using e-checks, ACH automatic payments, and other electronic and/or mobile payments.
The FBI recommends that to mitigate the risk of falling victim to these crimes, individuals are advised to:
– Promptly collect their mail.
– Use security envelopes.
– Consider electronic payment methods.
– Utilize pens with indelible ink for writing checks.
– Regularly monitor bank statements for discrepancies.
Photo by Sam LaRussa on Unsplash
US Postal Inspection Service
If you’ve been a victim of mail theft, to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (the Post Office investigation department) you can call 1-877-876-2455 or visit their website at www.uspis.gov.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how to contact them:
- Phone: Call 1-877-876-2455.
- Website: Visit www.uspis.gov to report suspected fraud online or find information about their services.
- Mail: You can also mail your queries to the Criminal Investigations Service Center at:
- CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE CENTER
- ATTN: MAIL FRAUD
- 433 HARRISON STREET RM 3255
- CHICAGO IL 60699-3255
- Email: Report information on counterfeit postage to PostageFraudReporting@uspis.gov.
Forewarned is Forearmed
The saying hope for the best and prepare for the worst comes to mind as I re-read this post. Mail theft is a problem. Take precautionary measures to protect incoming and outgoing payments and checks.
Speaking of precautionary measures, Q2 starts Tuesday. No fool, it’s a great time to review what you have in place for you and your business.
Reach out when it’s time to discuss your planning. Send me an Email or Message if you have any questions. For additional information about my work, check out @ The Living Planner or @ The Living Planner.
If you’re up for planning your life’s administrative side, my book is a resource.. The Living Planner What to Prepare Now While You Are Living © Check it out HERE.
Quote for the week, “Awareness without action is worthless.” — Phil McGraw
To Q2 and Spring❣️ Lynn
#PlanfortheUnplanned #Can’tPredictCanPrepare