USPS has issued a warning to customers to be cautious when dropping mail in blue post office collection boxes.
USPS has seen an increase in blue mailbox theft. Thieves steal mail from the boxes and in some cases steal the entire mailbox.
They target the mailboxes in the evening after the last collection of the day or on Sunday’s or holidays when mail is not collected.
The blue mailboxes are just not secure, USPS says the collection bins have become hot spots for criminals. The criminal’s intent is to steal checks, gifts and other valuable mail. The thieves also look for mail that identifies a person, it can be something simple like a utility bill or credit card application. They use the information found in those documents to steal a person’s identity and financial information.
Postal officials said that groups of criminals across the country are using the internet and social media to coordinate strategic targeting of post office collection boxes.
How can you protect yourself
If you do use one of the mailboxes read the collection times schedule that is attached to the mailbox. Put your mail in the box prior to the days last pick up. You don’t want the mail to be left in the box overnight.
Instead of using a collection box visit the post office and use the retail counter to send your mail.
If you need to send mail after the Post Office has closed, use the inside collection slots that deposit mail directly inside of the Post Office.
And it’s not just the blue boxes that are being broken into, apartment complex residents who use cluster boxes are also at risk. The Post Office recommends that apartment residents check cluster boxes daily for mail.
Home mail theft is also a problem, if you mail from home try to hand your mail directly to the carrier.
Never allow your mail to sit in your mailbox overnight. Put it in the mailbox as close to pick up time as possible.
If you will be away for an extended period, submit a hold request to pause your mail until you return home.
Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, you will receive email notifications of the mail that will be delivered to you each day so that you will know if something is missing. USPS Informed Delivery
You can report mail related crimes to the United States Postal Inspection Service
Phone: 1-877-876-2455
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