If your mail is stolen, immediate action is crucial to protect your identity and finances. Taking the right steps promptly can help mitigate potential damage and assist law enforcement in their investigation.
Immediate Steps When Your Mail Is Stolen
Responding quickly to mail theft is essential. Follow these steps to report the incident and protect yourself from further harm.
1. Report to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
This is the most critical first step. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating mail theft, mail fraud, and other postal-related crimes.
- Action: Report suspected mail losses by calling 877-876-2455 or by visiting their official website at www.uspis.gov.
- Why it matters: USPIS has the authority and resources to investigate these crimes and work towards apprehending thieves.
2. Contact Financial Institutions and Creditors
If the stolen mail contained sensitive financial information, such as checks, bank statements, or credit card offers, immediate notification is necessary.
- Action:
- Banks and Credit Card Companies: Call the fraud department of any bank or credit card company whose information might have been compromised. Cancel any stolen credit cards or checks immediately.
- Billers: If bills were stolen, contact the companies to inform them and make alternative payment arrangements.
- Tip: Always keep emergency contact numbers for your financial institutions handy or find them on the back of your cards or on their official websites.
3. Monitor Your Credit and Consider a Fraud Alert or Freeze
Mail theft often serves as a gateway to identity theft. Protecting your credit is vital.
- Action:
- Fraud Alert: Place a free, one-year fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion). The bureau you contact is required to notify the other two.
- Credit Freeze: For stronger protection, consider placing a credit freeze. This restricts access to your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. You'll need to contact each of the three credit bureaus individually to place a freeze.
- Review Credit Reports: Regularly check your credit reports for any unauthorized accounts or suspicious activity. You can get free copies of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus once every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com.
4. File a Police Report with Local Law Enforcement
While the USPIS handles mail theft investigations, a local police report can be beneficial for your records and for dealing with financial institutions.
- Action: Contact your local police department's non-emergency line to file a report.
- Why it matters: A police report provides an official record of the incident, which can be helpful if you need to prove identity theft to creditors or for insurance claims.
5. Report Identity Theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
If you suspect identity theft has occurred as a result of the mail theft, report it to the FTC.
- Action: Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the identity theft. The FTC will provide you with a personalized recovery plan and official letters you can use to deal with creditors.
6. Review Other Documents and Information
Consider what other personal information might have been in the stolen mail or if the theft points to a larger security breach.
- Action: If your Social Security card, driver's license, passport, or other critical documents were potentially compromised, take steps to replace them and secure related accounts.
Why Mail Theft Is Serious
Mail theft is not merely an inconvenience; it is a serious crime with significant consequences. Thieves often target mailboxes looking for:
- Financial Documents: Checks, bank statements, credit card offers, and account notices.
- Personal Information: Documents containing names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth, which can be used for identity theft.
- Merchandise: Packages containing valuable items.
The information obtained from stolen mail can be used to open new credit accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, or gain access to existing financial accounts, leading to substantial financial and personal distress.
Preventing Future Mail Theft
Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of mail theft again.
- Retrieve Mail Promptly: Avoid leaving mail in your mailbox for extended periods, especially overnight.
- Use a Secure Mailbox: Consider investing in a locking mailbox to deter thieves.
- Sign Up for USPS Informed Delivery: This free service from the USPS sends you daily email notifications with images of your incoming mail, allowing you to track what to expect. Sign up at www.usps.com/informeddelivery.
- Hold Mail When Away: If you're going on vacation, use the USPS Hold Mail service to prevent your mailbox from overflowing.
- Send Mail from a Post Office or Collection Box: Avoid placing outgoing mail, especially checks or sensitive documents, in an unsecured home mailbox. Use a blue USPS collection box or drop it off directly at a post office.
- Shred Sensitive Documents: Securely dispose of any mail containing personal or financial information by shredding it before discarding.
- Keep Registered Mail Separate: For items requiring extra security, like important documents, always use Registered Mail, ensuring it's handled distinctly from regular mail and requires a signature upon delivery.
- Opt-Out of Junk Mail: Reduce the amount of pre-approved credit offers and other unsolicited mail that could fall into the wrong hands. You can opt-out at OptOutPrescreen.com.
Key Contacts for Mail Theft
This table summarizes the essential contacts and actions to take if your mail is stolen.
| Institution | Action | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) | Report mail theft, suspicious activity | 877-876-2455 or www.uspis.gov |
| Banks/Credit Card Companies | Report stolen financial info, cancel cards, monitor accounts | Emergency numbers on card backs or statements |
| Credit Bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) | Place fraud alerts/freezes, review credit reports | AnnualCreditReport.com |
| Local Police Department | File a police report | Non-emergency number for your local police |
| Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | Report identity theft, get recovery plan | IdentityTheft.gov |
