Federal grand jury indicts Kong woman for mail theft
The Tundra Drums - 8/27/10

(ANCHORAGE, ALASKA) “A Kongiganak woman was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for mail theft, announced Karen L. Loeffler, U.S. attorney in Alaska, according to a written statement from Loeffler’s office.

Agnes Evan, 26, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Smith on the charge of mail theft, contained in a one-count indictment. Ms. Evan pled not guilty to the charge. [...]

Assistant U.S. Attorney Yvonne Lamoureux, who presented the case to the grand jury, said the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and that the government would be seeking restitution in the amount of $10,000.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Magistrate Judge Smith set a trial date of Nov. 1.

The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

COMMENTS: Alaska - particularly Fairbanks but also Anchorage - has been plagued with mail theft. Unfortunately for those in “The Last Frontier” looking to prevent mail identity theft with the MailBoss, Epoch Design does not ship outside the continental United States. However, you should be able to find the MailBoss security locking mailbox in Anchorage at Fred Meyer or Spenards. Happy (mailbox) hunting!

Police: Woman stole mail
The Carmi Times - 8/26/10

(WEST FRANKFORT, ILLINOIS) “The Williamson County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a West Frankfort woman in connection with a string of mail thefts that have occurred throughout the area in recent months.

Jessica Stubblefield, 29, was taken into custody after police learned that the occupant of a late model sport utility vehicle had stolen mail from a rural Williamson County resident’s mailbox.

Police located and stopped the vehicle, which was driven by Stubblefield. During a subsequent search, officers discovered mail stolen from several area residents.”

COMMENTS: Thanks to vigilant residents, one more mail thief has been caught. However, mail theft is on the rise, and savvy criminals know that majority of US mailboxes are unlocked, offering a treasure trove of information for identity theft. Keep would-be identity thieves from obtaining your personal information and protect your mail at its source: the curbside mailbox. The best solution to prevent mail identity theft? A high security locked mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or pried open with a screwdriver. The Mail Boss is affordably priced and available at your local hardware store.

Mail thefts drastically underestimated
Lancaster Eagle Gazette - 8/26/10

(LANCASTER, OHIO) “Officials urge any residents who’ve noticed suspicious activity regarding their mailboxes to contact the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.

That could include missing mail or receiving unexpected or unusual items around their mailboxes, said Lt. Tim Voris, who heads the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau.

“If anybody has had a mail theft, or finds anything unusual in the area of their residence, like mail that doesn’t belong to them, or unusual activity around their homes, contact the Sheriff’s Office for a report,” Voris said.

Three men recently were arrested in Hocking County, where they face charges in connection with mailbox thefts in that county. Voris said the case could involve almost 500 mailboxes in Hocking County and 200 in Fairfield County, with targeted locations being Amanda, Hocking, Madison and Berne townships.

Just two weeks ago, sheriff’s officials tallied the number of affected residents at just four. But, a woman who had not been charged in the mail thefts identified several roads in the county she said the three men had targeted, leading officials to think the number of victims is closer to 200.

That woman drove the men around as they hit dozens of mailboxes on several roads, authorities said.

In one Fairfield County sheriff’s report, a victim’s mail had been opened and stuffed inside a shipping envelope and left on his porch. Voris said the thieves cashed residents’ checks and took mail that helped them obtain money.

The rash of thefts has stopped, he said.

“We’re not seeing a series of thefts like we were seeing with this group.”

Those arrested in connection with the mailbox thefts were Shaun Mowery, 29; Jeffery Rollins, 40; Joseph Romine, 28, all of Lancaster.”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is always grossly underestimated, because most victims never realize when their mail has been stolen. Then, even when people do have their mail stolen they often don’t know what to do about it. Rarely are mail thefts reported to the police unless there is media coverage or a heightened awareness of the problem. (Side-note: Here is what to do if your mail is stolen.)

Anyway, this story is a case in point. Originally, police estimated there were only four victims. Now, they estimate there are over 500 victims in Hocking County, and 200 victims in Fairfield County. Of course, this still may not be representative of the total number of victims.

In reality, many people who had their mail stolen may never become victims of identity theft. However, their information is out there and they will have to take precautions - i.e. issue credit alert, etc. - to ensure their good name remains untarnished. Translation: mail theft is a major pain in the a$$.

The best way to protect your mail from being stolen is with a high security locking mailbox like the MailBoss that can’t be fished by hand or pried open with a screwdriver. With the MailBoss, your mail is secure until you retrieve it with your unique key. Peace of mind at an affordable price!

Police nail more charges to Staunton mail theft ring
The News Virginian - 8/24/10

(STAUNTON, VIRGINIA) “Arrested for the fifth time this month a Staunton woman topped more than 30 charges in a mail theft case, police said.

Staunton police arrested Melissa “Joy” Nofflett, 33, of Staunton, Thursday on charges of hit and run, reckless driving, forgery, larceny and violating the terms of her release from jail, authorities said.

“On [Tuesday] she went into a store to attempt to purchase cigarettes with cash and a check,” said Officer Lisa Klein, Staunton police spokeswoman.

“They recognized her and refused to cash the check.”

According to documents filed in Augusta County Circuit Court, Nofflett and several others stole checks from mailboxes and put them through electric check transfer machines at area Food Lions to get cash back.

Police said the alleged thefts started in June.

Staunton police Officer J.L. Campbell interviewed Nofflett on Thursday, where she named Hillary Reed, 31, of Staunton, as her latest accomplice, according to a search warrant.

“Nofflett, who has already been charged previously over the last few weeks, admitted to conducting more criminal activity,” the warrant states.

Nofflett told Campbell she and Reed “smoked crack cocaine” at Reed’s apartment Aug. 17, then drove a car down a street and hit a mailbox.

According to the warrant, Reed got out of the car and retrieved two checks from the mailbox and tried to cash them at three different Food Lions.

Police hope to find more information from electronic equipment they seized from Reed’s apartment, the warrant states.

“The computer information is important if they used the victim’s identity on the Internet to defraud the victim,” Campbell wrote.

Waynesboro police earlier this month filed seven charges against Reed and April Renee Brown, 28, of Stuarts Draft.

Reed is charged for a mail theft on Summit Drive and Brown for a theft from Hopeman Station, both of which occurred July 26, police said. The charges include larceny, forgery, uttering and obtaining goods by false pretenses.

The women were charged earlier this month in Staunton along with Nofflett and Dion Lamar Sanders in similar cases.

Police last month arrested Sanders on charges he broke a man’s nose. Sanders’ mail thievery arrest violated the terms of the bond set in the attack case, police said.”

COMMENTS: This is why you do not release these career criminals. Charge them and book them or they will be out on the streets targeting mailboxes in no time. Mail identity theft is how they fund their drug habit; it’s their way of life. A slap on the wrist and probation is not going to stop them.

Since you can’t count on the courts to keep these addicts behind bars, homeowners need to take measures to protect themselves and their credit. The first and best defense against mail identity theft is a high security locking mailbox to keep thieves’ hands off your personal information. The Mail Boss is a high quality lockable mailbox that can’t be fished by hand and resists leveraged entry. Also, no one should send checks or other sensitive mail from an unlocked mailbox. Bring outgoing mail to the post office or better yet, use online bill pay. It’s more secure.

Monterey County sheriff’s log
Off 68 - 8/17/10

(MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA) “Aug. 17, 9:11 p.m.: Someone found mail apparently stolen from five different homes in a field in the Toro Park area. The mail is thought to have been stolen between noon Aug. 16 and 9:40 a.m. Aug. 17. Some of the mail had been opened, most likely by thieves looking for checks, deputies said.

COMMENTS: Most mail-identity theft stories report that thieves are allegedly looking for checks. However, this is not always accurate. Often times thieves are looking for any personal or financial information. They find these sensitive documents useful for identity theft, from which they can garner far more than a measly fraudulent check. Incoming mail generally offers more information thieves can use, so they often target curbside mailboxes searching for account numbers, credit card statements and more. To protect yourself from mail identity theft, you need to secure your incoming (as well as your outgoing) mail. The solution? The Mail Boss high security locking mailbox!

Guilty plea in D.C. identity thefts
The Washington Post - 8/19/10

(WASHINGTON DC, DISTRICT of COLUMBIA) “A District woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy and fraud in connection with a credit card and identity theft ring operating out of Northwest Washington.

The ring charged $89,000 to nearly 200 companies and individuals by stealing mail from residential mailboxes, credit card receipts from Johnson’s Flower shops in Tenleytown and Kensington and a medical office in Friendship Heights, according to authorities.

Dionne N. Witherspoon, 38, of the 1300 block of 6th Street NW, admitted running the ring from December 2006 through March 2010 with an unindicted co-conspirator identified in court papers as “R.G.R.M.”

Witherspoon faces a likely sentence of up to 121 months in prison and a fine of up to $150,000 under U.S. sentencing guidelines. The maximums allowed under law are 20 years and $250,000.

Witherspoon had co-conspirators obtain victims’ identification and bank account information, then accept delivery of merchandise bought with the proceeds at their homes, prosecutors said. The ring also stole credit card receipts and prescriptions from a CVS Pharmacy at 13th and U Streets NW and student information from Howard University.

The stolen information was used to make transactions on legitimate credit accounts maintained by victims, to open on-line credit accounts and to tap “pay-by-phone” checking account payments.

Witherspoon gave co-conspirators a cut of merchandise, “discounted” payments of utility and cell phone bills and D.C. parking tickets — whose balance was paid by stolen funds.

Others who have pleaded guilty in the case and who are cooperating pending sentencing are Kimberly Hatton, 41, , and Peeair Bassil, 42, of Washington, and LaKisha Williams, 34, of Oxon Hill.”

COMMENTS: Note, the ring obtained much of their information “by stealing mail from residential mailboxes.” The rest of the information they stole was also in the low-tech form - paper receipts. While identity theft invokes visions of “cyber” high-tech crimes, research actually indicates that the majority of ID theft is perpetuated the old-fashioned way. This story underscores the importance of safeguarding your personal physical information. A fundamental component of identity theft prevention is the use of a high security locking mailbox to secure your incoming mail.

Sheriff: 4 arrested in southern Ohio mail thefts
WFMJ - 8/19/10

(LOGAN, OHIO) “Four people have been arrested in the investigation into mail thefts from homes in southern Ohio.

Hocking County Sheriff Lanny North says the three men and a woman were taken into custody Tuesday near the community of Rockbridge. He says a search of a vehicle recovered several pieces of stolen mail.

Detectives believe the suspects are connected to a recent rash of thefts from mailboxes in Hocking County and neighboring Fairfield County.

North says the three men, ranging in age from 28 to 40, have been charged with breaking and entering. He says the 23-year-old woman was arrested on a warrant for a probation violation.”

COMMENTS: Glad to see these mail ID thieves have been apprehended. However, mail identity theft is a growing problem and residents need to take measures to protect themselves. The first defense: a high security locked mailbox like the MailBoss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. Thieves target your unlocked mailbox to steal bank statements, credit card offers, courtesy checks, social security statements and more. Lock up your mailbox to prevent identity theft.

Weatherford Police Monday crime log
The Weatherford Democrat - 8/18/10

(WEATHERFORD, TEXAS) “The following offenses were observed or reported to the Weatherford Police Department on Monday Aug. 16.

Identity Theft — Aug. 16, 600 Bryan St., a complainant reported that after receiving a letter from a collection company she discovered that an unknown suspect had used her Social Security number to obtain a cellular telephone account without her permission.

Criminal Mischief — Aug. 13, 1400 Ft. Worth, a complainant reported that between Aug. 7 and Aug. 10 unknown suspect(s) had damaged a locking mailbox by breaking the lock with an unknown object.

COMMENTS: Funny that they call breaking into a locking mailbox “criminal mischief” - last time I checked, that’s a federal offense. Included the “identity theft” report as well to point out that the victim most likely doesn’t know how her information was compromised. In fact, most victims don’t. First place I’d check? The mailbox. It’s easy for thieves to target your unlocked mailbox to find bank account statements and more, and they can use the information for identity theft. Often victims don’t know their information has been taken until it is too late. The best defense is a high security locking mailbox like the mailbox to keep criminal hands off your personal mail.

Tips To Prevent Mail Theft, A Growing Trend In Long Beach
Long Beach News - 8/18/10

(LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA) “Mail theft is on the rise in the city, says the Long Beach Police Department, and residents are urged to take the following precautions in protecting themselves.

Thieves throughout the city have taken to stealing mail that may contain important checks or payments, particularly those earmarked for mortgage lenders, credit card companies and financial institutions. Do not leave your outgoing mail hanging exposed from a residential mailbox.
Police advise residents to take the following precautions:

• Do not write account, driver’s license or social security numbers on your checks
• If possible, satisfy payments on-line or at your creditor’s website
• Place or deposit outgoing mail in a mail slot located inside a postal facility or hand it to your neighborhood postal carrier
• When ordering checks from your financial institution, request the secure type that cannot be altered
• Do not send cash in the mail
• Retrieve mail from your mailbox promptly after delivery

If you’ve become a victim of mail fraud, report the incident to the Long Beach Police Department and the United States Postal Service. Click here for United States Postal Inspection Service tips to prevent mail fraud and call the LBPD Forgery/Fraud Detail at 562.570.7330 with any questions.”

COMMENTS: Good advice, for the most part. But “Retrieve your mail promptly”? Seriously? Many mail thieves are so brazen that they follow the postal trucks. With ID theft at an all time high, people need to be vigilant. Your unlocked mailbox is one of the easiest ways for thieves to steal your personal information for identity theft. They can find bank account numbers, credit card statements, courtesy checks, social security statements and more all in your mailbox. To prevent mail identity theft, use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that cannot be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. The Mail Boss is available at your local Ace Hardware or True Value.

Homewood police warns of mailbox thieves
WBRC FOX - 8/18/10

(HOMEWOOD, ALABAMA) “Police are warning people about thieves stealing mail out of mailboxes, which could include personal information.

At least two incidents have happened in Homewood, criminals stealing mail, getting away with checks written by homeowners. Investigators are urging homeowners to be careful when they put any sort of check, payment of any personal information in the mailbox.

Over the last week, several people in Homewood and Vestavia have been ripped off. Police say female suspects could be using homeless people to take a doctored up check into a bank, trying to get quick cash.

When your power, gas, phone or water bill is due, sometimes the easiest thing to do is put the check in your mailbox. Police say that’s not always the safest way. Homewood resident Jay Burnett, along with many others, take their bills directly to the post office, instead of leaving it in his mailbox.

“Any bills that we can, I carry to the post office and put directly in the post box,” Burnett said.

Jim Daniell, who also lives in the neighborhood where the crimes happened off crest drive in Homewood, says he’s a bit surprised to hear the news.

“We take em to the post office, never leave it in the mailbox to be mailed,” Daniell said. “Precautionary just to be safe, no use pressing the issue.”

Kisha Thomas takes her safety precautions a step further, not only paying her bills online, but also paying for a PO Box for her mail to be delivered.

“I don’t have stuff coming to my home, its unfortunate we have to think that way, I buy a P.O. Box for that reason,” Thomas said. “At least here at the P.O. Box I control when I come and get my stuff out of the mail and I have a key to my box.”

Sgt. Andrew Didcoct, with the Homewood Police Department says using common sense is key. People are being urged not to put mail early in the morning or overnight.

“Don’t put the flag up to alert the mailman because you’re also alerting everyone else,” Didcoct said.”

COMMENTS: It is important to be vigilant with outgoing mail. Never send sensitive mail including checks from an unlocked box; instead, bring it to the post office or use online bill pay. However, it is equally if not more important to be vigilant with incoming mail. Thieves are targeting your unlocked mailbox to steal your bank statements, credit card offers, social security statements, courtesy checks, and more. Your mailbox offers a wealth of sensitive information thieves can use for identity theft. In today’s world, we can no longer use unlocked mailbox. Get a PO Box like Thomas, or get a locking mailbox. Either way, lock it up!

A locking mailbox is a sound investment in mail identity theft prevention and peace of mind. Be sure you get one made of quality materials, not thin gauge metal or plastic that can be easily compromised. Also, make sure it can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. The Mail Boss locking security mailbox is a high quality secure mailbox that is affordable, and available at your local Ace Hardware or True Value.

Three men charged with stealing credit, debit cards from South Florida mailboxes: More than $200,000 spent with stolen credit and debit cards
Sun-Sentinel - 8/18/10

(SOUTH FLORIDA) “The U.S. Attorney’s Office has arrested two men charged with stealing credit and debit cards from curbside mailboxes in South Florida and using them to blow through more than $200,000.

Ricardo Lee Penn, 47, of Wellington, and Jamaal Willie Williams, 24, of Miami, are charged with conspiracy, mail theft, unauthorized use of access devices and aggravated identity theft.

A third co-defendant, Dorian Jerrell Cawley, 25, also of Wellington, has also been charged in the case but was still being sought late Tuesday.

Curbside mailbox thefts are surprisingly rare, according to the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office in Miramar.

“It’s not rampant, but it does come in waves,” said Postal Inspector Blad Rojo. “For the most part we catch these guys. ID theft comes in so many ways, this is just one.”

A 2009 study by Javelin Strategy and Research indicates only 3 percent of identity theft is linked to “paper mail,” according to the American Bankers Association.

But mailboxes in Wellington, Weston and other affluent areas in South Florida are targeted more often because of the perception that residents receive more financial offers, Rojo said.

Penn, Williams and Cawley are accused of stealing the identities of at least four people. Each faces up to 22 years in prison if convicted on all four counts.

Penn and Williams made their initial appearances in federal court on Tuesday and are being held pending a detention hearing on Monday at 10 a.m.

Federal investigators say between Aug. 1, 2008, and July 23, Penn, Williams and Cawley used the stolen cards to make purchases at area stores and restaurants, get cash advances and buy $500 money orders that they then cashed.

One victim lost $120,000, according to the complaint affidavit filed in the case.

Experts say there are several ways to guard against curbside mailbox theft.

“The main thing is, don’t use your curbside mailbox for outgoing mail,” said Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Director Dennis Moore.

Other recommendations include giving your mail to a letter carrier, dropping it in a blue curbside mailbox or at the post office and alerting the Postal Service to any address change or vacation plans.

Also, don’t send cash or coins through the mail and call the issuing agency right away if any anticipated check, credit card or other valuable mail arrives late.

[...] Financial information is the most sought-after by identity thieves, according to Rojo.

“The financial industry still uses the mail service a lot [because] mail is most effective [and] the Postal Inspector’s office adds a layer of security and protection,” Rojo said.

Though rules differ slightly from bank to bank and card to card, in most cases, the victim is not liable for the amount stolen through fraud, said Renee Thompson, spokeswoman for Florida Bankers Association.

But the longer a victim waits to report the loss, the more difficult it will be to recover it, she said. “There are so many ways to monitor accounts, people usually discover something wrong quickly.” [...]

If credit card solicitations or cash advance checks are stolen from the mail and used by identity thieves, Florida Bankers Association Fraudnet Director Bret Rock said the banks will take care if it.

“Fraud is fraud, and for the most part, banks will protect consumers against fraud,” he said. “The sooner they report it, the better.”

COMMENTS: The USPS states that “curbside mailbox thefts are surprisingly rare.” They have a vested interest in homeowners trusting and continuing to use the US Postal Service, obviously. However, the sad reality is that curbside mailbox thefts are grossly underestimated, and are one of the most common ways thieves acquire your information for identity theft.

Research by Javelin Strategy indicates that MOST victims do not know how their personal information was compromised. Of those who do know, the MAJORITY of victims had their information stolen via “low-tech” old-fashioned methods—stolen wallets, stolen mail, stolen trash – not high-tech methods as is often believed.

Most victims of mail theft never realize when their mail has been taken. It may or may not be useful to the thief. They may never become a victim of ID theft, but their mail has been taken. Think about it: Do you know what you are expecting to receive in your mailbox each day? Would you know if it never arrived?

Savvy criminals know they can find a treasure trove of information in your mailbox, from bank statements and pre-approved credit card offers to social security numbers and courtesy checks. Without a high security locking mailbox you are vulnerable to the nightmare of mail identity theft, the fastest growing crime in the country.

There are a bunch of drug addicts and low-life scum… tens of thousands of them… all across the country. They have no jobs but they have habits to support so they are targeting unlocked mailboxes where they can find access to your hard-earned money. They use bank account statements, courtesy credit card checks, gift cards and whatever else they can find to steal your hard earned money and ruin your good credit (or, if you are like many Americans who have been hit hard in this economy, what’s left of it). Your best defense: a high security locking mailbox to stop crooks from stealing your incoming mail. Also, don’t send checks from your mailbox. It’s the 21st century, so look into online bill pay - it is quite secure! Lastly, keep on shredding! We know most of you already do this. But remember, most of what you shred comes in your mailbox, and you can’t shred it if the crooks get to it first.

Cease Online Diatribe.

Commence Mail Theft Monday, Part 1.

LBPD Warns Residents About Increase in Mail Theft Incidents
Everything Long Beach - 8/18/10

(LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA) “The Long Beach Police Department is warning residents regarding a rash of mail theft incidents, which have occurred throughout the city. Residents are being urged to take precautions and not place, leave or expose outgoing mail hanging from residential mailboxes.

Recently, fraud investigators have experienced a surge of mail theft reports where individuals are stealing mail that contains payments earmarked for creditors such as mortgage lenders, credit card companies, financial institutions and retail businesses.

In an effort to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud and/or mail and identity theft, residents are encouraged to practice the following recommendations:

• Do not write account, driver’s license or social security numbers on your checks
• If possible, satisfy payments on-line or at your creditor’s website
• Place or deposit outgoing mail in a mail slot located inside a postal facility or hand it to your neighborhood postal carrier
• When ordering checks from your financial institution, request the secure type that cannot be altered
• Do not send cash in the mail
• Retrieve mail from your mailbox promptly after delivery

If you discover that you have become a victim of mail fraud, here is what you should do:

• Report the incident to Long Beach Police Department
• File a complaint with the United States Postal Inspection Service

For more information concerning mail theft and what you can do to prevent it, please visit the United States Postal Inspection Service website.

If you should have any questions regarding mail theft or fraud-related crimes, please call the Long Beach Police Department’s Forgery/Fraud Detail at (562) 570-7330.”

COMMENTS: Good advice, for the most part. But “Retrieve your mail promptly”? Seriously? Many mail thieves are so brazen that they follow the postal trucks. With ID theft at an all time high, people need to be vigilant. Your unlocked mailbox is one of the easiest ways for thieves to steal your personal information for identity theft. They can find bank account numbers, credit card statements, courtesy checks, social security statements and more all in your mailbox. To prevent mail identity theft, use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that cannot be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. The Mail Boss is available at your local Ace Hardware or True Value.

Pickens Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Checks
WSPA7 - 8/17/10

(SPARTANBURG, SC) “Melinda Sue Cuddy, 35, of Pickens, pleaded guilty to mail theft conspiracy, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to the release, Cuddy and her co-conspirators used dozens of checks stolen from mail boxes. Then she tried to get other people to cash them at local businesses.

In Jan. 2007, she tried to recruit a confidential source working with officers. She gave the source a stack of checks. Pickens County Deputies executed a search warrant and found stolen checks worth about $5,000. Cuddy will be sentenced later.”

COMMENTS: Check theft from unlocked mailboxes is quite common. To prevent mail identity theft (1) secure incoming mail with a lockable mailbox like the MailBoss; (2) never send checks or other sensitive mail from an unlocked mailbox - bring them to the post office or use online bill pay; and (3) always shred sensitive documents (most of which come in your unlocked mailbox) before discarding them. These three easy steps will go a long way in reducing the likelihood that you are victim to identity theft, the fastest growing crime in the  United States.

Woman charged with mailbox tampering
Daily Comet - 8/17/10

(HOUMA, LOUISIANA) “A woman accused of rifling through mailboxes along Shrimpers Row Saturday was jailed the same day on multiple charges of theft.

Debra Ann Adams, 55, 125 Bobtown Circle, is charged with 14 counts of theft less than $300, possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Terrebonne Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a woman in khaki clothing walking down the road, opening mailboxes and trashing the contents. An estimated 20 mailboxes were involved.

Residents reported mail on the ground and finding mail addressed to neighbors in their boxes. Based on witnesses’ information, officers found Adams at her house.

She was taken to the Terrebonne Parish jail, where she remains in lieu of a $500 bond.”

COMMENTS: The issue here is not that the woman was “opening mailboxes and trashing the contents.” Obviously she was looking for personal and financial information, quick cash or gift cards. Your mailbox offers a treasure trove of information for thieves looking to steal your identity. They may steal just a check or gift card, or much more. With the growing threat of mail identity theft, a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss is an essential first line of defense.

3 charged with stealing mail from Fla. mailboxes
Miami Herald - 8/17/10

(WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA) “Three people are charged with stealing credit and debit cards from Palm Beach County mailboxes and using them for identity and cash thefts.

Federal prosecutors said Monday four victims lost more than $200,000 combined. The ring operated in Wellington and other cities, stealing the cards and then using them to make cash withdrawals or large purchases at stores and restaurants. Some victims’ identities were also stolen.

Two of the three suspects are in custody pending a bail hearing next Monday. The third had not been arrested.

The charges include conspiracy, mail theft and aggravated identity theft. All three suspects face maximum 22-year prison sentences if convicted.”

COMMENTS: Often in the news you hear of criminals targeting mailboxes to steal check payments sent in the outgoing mail. In these cases, crooks steal a check, wash it, and fraudulently cash it. Most times the victim is out a few hundred dollars, but the bank generally covers this kind of check fraud. More dangerous is the kind of mail identity theft referenced here. When criminals steal your incoming mail they can obtain all sorts of personal identifying information including account numbers, credit card information and more. They can use this information to take you for thousands, leaving you with debts that you have to explain. Credit scores and good names are ruined, and the victims are left trying to clean up the mess.

To prevent mail identity theft, vigilance is key. People need to use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss to secure incoming mail. Also, avoid sending checks or sensitive documents from an unlocked mailbox, and shred all sensitive mail before discarding it.

Byram woman arrested for allegedly stealing mail
WLBT3 - 8/16/10

(BYRAM, MISSISSIPPI) “A Byram woman is behind bars for allegedly stealing mail out of mail boxes.

Authorities say LaKeacha Johnson used stolen mail to get personal and financial information.

According to the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the 32-year-old woman electronically paid bills and made purchases using the victims’ bank accounts and routing numbers.

“Once she would determine someone had checks coming for credit card statements, she would go in the mailboxes, get that information and she was able to pay all of her utility bills on line,” said Lt. Jeffrey Scott, of the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies raided Johnson’s home on Torrence Cove in Byram Friday.

They seized a computer, personal mail, checks and credit cards belonging to several victims.

Scott said there are three known victims of this scam and likely many others.

Johnson is charged with false pretense and mail fraud and faces more charges.”

COMMENTS: First of all, Johnson was not very wise to use her victims’ info to pay her OWN utility bills. Most crooks just steal the account information and then sell it to others, or use accounts to make large untraceable purchases.

That said, your unlocked mailbox is a common place for criminals to obtain your personal information for identity theft. ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the country, and to protect yourself you need to use a high security locking mailbox to keep others from stealing your mail.

The Mail Boss is a high security locking mailbox that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver, and is a good option for those who do not wish to leave their personal information out on the road for any passerby to steal.

Police Name Persons Of Interest In Mail Thefts: Central Ohio Authorities Continue To Investigate
NBC4 - 8/16/10

(CENTRAL OHIO) “Investigators in Central Ohio are trying to figure out who has been going through and stealing mail from dozens of mailboxes. It’s happened in a number of counties.

“We chose to move to the country so we wouldn’t have to deal with crime, and now here it is, you know, right in our mailbox,” said Marilyn Hacquard.

Hacquard says something didn’t seen right when she found the mailbox outside her home in Rockbridge in Hocking County empty last Saturday. The next day, mail was left at her home by the sheriff’s office. Someone had found it along with others’ mail on the side of the road.

Some, including her niece’s wedding invitation, had been opened. She suspects someone was looking for money.

“There are worse things in life, I’m sure, but, you know, you feel violated. It’s a violation when someone steals your mail and looks at your personal pieces of mail,” said Hacquard.

Her mailbox is one of a dozen to be hit in Hocking County, and there have been similar cases of mail theft recently in Fairfield, Pickaway, Pike, Fayette and Ross counties.

Chillicothe police named Margaret Fearnow and Kelly Downing (a.k.a. Kelly Jamhour) as persons of interest, claiming they’ve altered stolen checks and cashed them.

“They’re finding mailboxes with the flags up, and they’re taking outgoing mail, and they’re searching for checks,” said Officer Bud Lytle with the Chillicothe police.

Police say the suspects have cashed the checks at a number of banks throughout Chillicothe in hopes of covering their tracks. Police say they have checks that Fearnow has signed and the persons of interest may be responsible for going through Hacquard’s mail as well.

“My neighbors have been calling, ‘Did you get your mail? Did you want me to get your mail?’ We can’t continue that so we’re going to have to take action in getting a locked box,” says Hacquard.

According to Chillicothe police, if you believe you have had a check stolen, first call the payee. If they haven’t received it when they should have, call the bank and put a stop on the check. Next, call police.”

COMMENTS: Mail theft is one of the most common ways that identity thieves obtain your personal information. They look for not only cash, gift cards and checks, but also bank statements, pre approved credit card offers, social security statements and more. Most people SHRED their sensitive documents before discarding them, so why leave them out in your unlocked mailbox for thieves to steal?

Use a high security mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver to protect against mail identity theft and safeguard your good name. The Mail Boss prevents thieves from stealing your personal information, and is available at your local Ace Hardware or True Value.

3 Charged In Alleged Wellington Mail Thefts - Authorities: Men Stole Credit, Debit Cards From Mailboxes
WPBF 3 - 8/16/10

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA) “Federal authorities said three South Florida men have been charged in an alleged scheme to steal credit and debit cards from Wellington residents.

Ricardo Penn, 47, of Wellington, and Jamaal Williams, 24, of Miami, appeared in federal court Monday on charges of conspiracy, mail theft, unauthorized use of access devices and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, the men conspired to steal credit and debit cards from the mailboxes of Wellington residents so that they could make purchases and cash withdrawals from the accounts. The thefts occurred between August 2008 and July 2010.

Authorities said one victim lost more than $120,000, another victim lost more than $26,000, a third victim lost about $42,000 and a fourth victim lost about $17,000.

According to the arrest affidavit, the suspects sometimes bought multiple $500 money orders using the stolen cards and then cashed them. In other instances, large purchases were made at area stores and restaurants.

A third suspect, Dorian Cawley, 25, of Wellington, has also been charged but remains at large.

The suspects could be sentenced to up to 22 years in prison and could be forced to pay restitution if convicted on all four charges.”

COMMENTS: ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the country - over 10 million Americans were victims last year. Thieves target your unlocked mailbox to steal CC statements, bank account info, courtesy checks and more. In your mailbox they can find everything they need for ID theft.

To prevent mail ID theft, use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. The Mail Boss locking mailbox protects your family and your good name.

On the top of the list, identity thieves report:

“Your unlocked mailbox is a gold mine. I can steal your account numbers, use the convenience checks that come with your credit card statement, and send in pre-approved credit offers to get a card in your name. Stealing mail is easy. Sometimes, I act like I’m delivering flyers. Other times, I just stand there and riffle through it. If I don’t look suspicious, your neighbors just think I’m a friend picking up your mail.”

Well, we have been saying this for awhile, but now you have heard it from the horse’s mouth! It is quite easy for identity thieves to gain access to your personal information from your curbside mailbox. They can even steal your mail in broad daylight! That’s why it’s so important to use a high security locking mailbox.

Some other noteworthy points made:

Even with all the new technology, most of us still steal your information the old-fashioned way: by swiping your wallet or purse, going through your mail, or Dumpster diving.

This exactly confirms what was uncovered by Javelin Strategy Research and reported here on our blog. Most identity theft occurs via low-tech methods including stolen wallets, mail and trash.

I dig through Dumpsters in broad daylight. If anyone asks (and no one does), I just say my girlfriend lost her ring, or that I may have thrown my keys away by mistake.

This just goes to show you how brazen some identity thieves are. They know how to avoid arousing suspicions!

How much is your information worth? I can buy stolen account information—your name, address, credit card number, and more—for $10 to $50 per account from hackers who advertise on more than a dozen black market web sites.

This point lends support to the argument that identity thieves often work together in a ring. The people who steal your mail (or wallet, trash, etc.) are not necessarily the same people as those who use the documents. If a mail thief is simply looking for a quick fix, he/she can often sell your mail to (or trade for drugs with) other criminals who then use the information. Alternatively, they can sell your personal information online to cyber criminals. There are complex networks out there of people who, once they get your hands on your information, can profit endlessly from your good name.

To read more about what identity thieves don’t you to know, go to the Reader’s Digest article here.

(CHILLICOTHE, OHIO) “Police have identified a person of interest in connection with recent mailbox thefts involving several counties. According to Chillicothe police, Margaret L. Fearnow is a person of interest in the mailbox thefts.

[...] Fearnow is described as being a 43-year-old white female, 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on Fearnow’s whereabouts is asked to call police at 740-773-1191 or Southern Ohio Crime Stoppers at 740-773-TIPS, 800-222-TIPS or on their Web site at www.SouthernOhioCrimeStoppers.com. [...]”

COMMENTS: It is difficult to believe that just one woman is behind the rash of mailbox thefts that have plagued Ohio lately. Most likely she is working with others, as these identity theft operations usually involve several crooks working in a team. When and if the police catch Fearnow, there will be others like her targeting your mailbox, so the best solution is to secure your mail and your identity with a high quality locking mailbox like the Mail Boss.

Mailbox Thefts Arrest in Waynesboro
WHSV 3 - 8/14/10

(WAYNESBORO, VIRGINIA) “Two women have been arrested for a string of mailbox thefts in Waynesboro.

Thirty-one-year-old Hillary Ann Reed of Staunton and 28-year-old April Renee Brown of Stuarts Draft face felony larceny charges for allegedly stealing from a number of mailboxes in the city of Waynesboro.

Both women are tied to similar crimes in Staunton, which helped officers in Waynesboro make the arrests.

Sgt. Kelly Walker, from the Waynesboro Police Department says, “I think the Staunton Police Department did a fantastic job of identifying the suspects in their cases. That just led to us following up with that information to make cases for crimes that occurred here.”

The two face other charges like forgery, uttering and obtaining money by false pretenses.”

COMMENTS: Good to hear these criminals were caught. Unfortunately there are many more out there looking to use your mail to steal your identity. It’s not tough to do, either! That’s why folks need to be vigilant with their incoming mail and use a high security locking mailbox to prevent identity theft.

Thieves stealing from area mailboxes: Rash of incidents recently has hit Hocking, Fairfield, Ross counties
Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - 8/11/10

(LANCASTER, OHIO) “A rash of thefts from mailboxes in Fairfield, Hocking and Ross counties have investigators trying to find out who is behind them and urging people to be cautious with their mail.

“We’ve taken four similar reports from people who have had their mail stolen,” said Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen. “They seemed to be centered in Berne Township.”

In one of the reports, the theft occurred between 11 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. Saturday in the 2700 block of Crawfis Road. The victim’s mail had been opened and stuffed inside a shipping envelope and left on his porch, according to a Fairfield County sheriff’s office report.

“We think there may have been more thefts,” Phalen said. “Some of the residents in Berne Township may have discovered the mail on the roads and in their yards and just returned it to the victims.”

The Hocking County Sheriff’s Office said a woman on Friday brought in a large amount of mail discarded along a road in Logan. The letters, including sympathy cards and burial plot documents, belonged to a cluster of neighboring addresses. Another woman found a batch of missing mail while looking for her own.

Sgt. Kevin Groves with the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office said the culprit — or culprits — might have kept new credit cards or other mail that could yield potential financial gains, and then thrown out the rest.

Victims are being advised to monitor their credit reports for possible identity theft.

Phalen said postal patrons could do a couple of things that would reduce the risk of residential mail theft.

“I know many people can’t because they are working, but if you can, be sure to get your mail out of the box as soon as you can after the mail carrier has dropped off your mail,” Phalen said. “Also, if you are sending out an item, don’t put it in the mailbox until the right before it is picked up. Put it in the box in the morning rather than the night before.”

In Ross County, Sheriff George Lavender said his office has been closing in on the culprits responsible for thefts of outgoing mail. During the past six months, there have been at least four reports of someone taking a payment from a mailbox, altering the check and attempting to cash it.

Lavender advises residents can help better protect their payments by dropping their mail off at the post office or in a blue postal service mailbox.

If residents see anyone acting suspicious around a neighbor’s mailbox, they should call the Sheriff’s Office at (740) 652-7900.

COMMENTS: Mail theft is one of the primary ways crooks gain access to your personal information, and they use what they find for identity theft. In the world we live in today, we can no longer leave our most sensitive personal documents out on the road for any passerby to steal. To protect yourself from mail identity theft, you need to use a high security locking mailbox, so only you can access your mail. No, the mail carrier does not need a key!

When looking for a locking security mailbox, some things to keep in mind: (1) What is it made of? It should be made of heavy-gauge steel, not plastic or thin gauge metal that can be easily violated. (2) Can it be fished? No sense buying a locking mailbox that a criminal can simply reach into… and you would be surprised how many “secure” mailboxes can be easily fished by hand. (3) Can it be pried open with a screwdriver? Many thieves bring tools with them and target “locking” mailboxes that can be easily pried, thinking there is much more to steal if someone doesn’t check the mail regularly.

A high quality security locking mailbox that cannot be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver is the Mail Boss. It will secure your incoming mail until you are able to retrieve it with your key. To be safe, you should also secure your outgoing mail: don’t send checks from an unlocked mailbox but instead bring them to the post office or use online bill pay - it’s more secure! Lastly, always shred sensitive documents (most of which come in your mailbox) before discarding them to prevent thieves from stealing your mail from the dumpster. But of course, I’m sure they prefer to steal from the mailbox… less filthy!

Ohio investigators say mail thief has pilfered from home mailboxes, tossing letters on road
FOX 8 - 8/10/10

(LOGAN, OHIO) “Investigators say at least a dozen households in southeast Ohio have fallen prey to a thief stealing from home mailboxes.

The Hocking County Sheriff’s office says a woman on Friday brought in a large amount of mail discarded along a road in Logan, about 45 miles southeast of Columbus. The letters, including sympathy cards and burial plot documents, belonged to a cluster of neighboring addresses.

Another woman found a batch of missing mail while looking for her own.

Sgt. Kevin Groves with the sheriff’s office says the culprit — or culprits — may have kept new credit cards or other mail that could yield potential financial gains, and then thrown out the rest.

Victims are being advised to monitor their credit reports for possible identity theft.”

COMMENTS: ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the country, and stolen mail is among the most common ways that criminals get your personal information. In this case, people in Logan are lucky because they were alerted to the mail theft since the crooks left unwanted mail strewn about; however, most times thieves just simply put unwanted mail back in the mailbox and victims do not even realize their personal information has been compromised.

Unfortunately, Americans can no longer receive their mail in an unlocked mailbox and expect that their credit card statements, bank account information, utility bills etc. will be safe until they retrieve their mail. The solution is a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. The Mail Boss secures your incoming mail until you retrieve it with your own unique key; the mail carrier does not need a key to deposit your mail into your own personal mail fortress.

To protect against mail identity theft, (1) use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss; (2) never send sensitive mail i.e. checks from an unsecured mailbox - bring them to the Post Office; and (3) always shred sensitive documents - most of which come in your (unlocked?) mailbox - before discarding them.

Mail Thief in Hocking County
WSYX ABC6 - 8/9/10

(ROCKBRIDGE, OHIO) “U.S. Postal Inspectors and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office are looking for someone stealing mail out of mailboxes.

Deputies found a pile of opened mail on Cliff Road over the weekend and returned it to the owners.

One victim tells us she noticed she didn’t get any mail last Saturday and thought it was odd. Deputies showed up at her house the next day with the opened letters.

Postal Inspectors will be in Hocking County tomorrow to work on the case. If you have any information you can call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service hotline at: 1-877-876-2455.”

COMMENTS: Thieves are stealing mail to look for sensitive documents to use for identity theft. You shred most of what you receive in your mail box before discarding it, so why leave it out in your unlocked mailbox for thieves to steal? Lock it up with the Mail Boss high security locking mailbox by Epoch Design - a true solution to mail identity theft.

(FALCON, COLORADO) “This summer, Falcon experienced a crime spree. The offense: mail theft.

One or more individuals were driving around Falcon neighborhoods that have individual mailboxes, looking for an “up” flag indicating a mailbox containing outgoing mail.

They would take the outgoing mail and open the envelopes. Then, they would drive on, looking for another mailbox with an “up” flag. In that mailbox, they would remove the outgoing mail and leave the empty envelopes from the previous mailbox.

“They were looking for checks,” said Chris Groskinsky, a supervisor at Peyton’s post office. “I recovered some of the mail and the checks were taken out.”

Kelly Salling-Davies, who lives in Woodmen Hills, left mail for pick up from her mailbox. Later, when she checked for incoming mail, she found two opened envelopes with a return address from a house a few blocks away, she said. When she returned her neighbor’s mail, she learned one of those envelopes had contained a check.

According to www.ckfraud.org, common household chemicals can be used to remove ink from checks. The thief then rewrites the payee, increases the amount payable and cashes the check.

“For the short term, it would be wise for everybody not to put mail out for pick up,” Groskinsky said. Maybe for the long term, too.

The Falcon thieves might have been looking for checks, but, according to an article at www.IdentityTheft911.com, some thieves use stolen mail to steal identities [emphasis added]. A name, street address, credit card number and bank account number are just what an identity thief is looking for.

When outgoing letters are gone, it’s assumed they’ve been picked up by the postal carrier. This gives mail thieves a big advantage because it usually takes quite a bit of time before the victim realizes something is wrong.

In this case, the Falcon mail thieves did their victims a favor by depositing the stolen mail in another mailbox. The victims were alerted that something was amiss within a few days or less. [...]

Mail theft can also be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov. [...] Putting outgoing mail in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox could have risks, too. [...]”

COMMENTS: Good points. In general, sending checks in the mail is not secure. Thieves target residential mailboxes with their flags up, but they also target blue USPS drop boxes, unfortunately. If you must send a check, bring it directly to the post office. However, using online bill pay is always a more secure option. Additionally, if you receive mail at an unlocked residential mailbox, you are highly vulnerable to identity theft. In your mailbox thieves can find everything they need to steal your identity. Therefore you should secure your incoming mail with a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver.

POLICE REPORTS: Someone steals check from mail and repurposes it
The Lufkin Daily News - 8/7/10

(LUFKIN, TEXAS) “A check was stolen from the outgoing mail of a home in the 2500 block of Daniel McCall Drive, according to a Lufkin Police report.

The victim told police that the check was altered and passed for $1,000 worth of merchandise. [...]”

COMMENTS: Checks are often stolen from outgoing mail, so individuals need to take necessary precautions - namely, do not send checks from an unsecured mailbox. If you  must pay bills via check, bring them directly to the post office. However, it is more secure to pay bills online. Additionally, individuals should take precautions to prevent theft of incoming mail from the mailbox, which offers criminals a wealth of information to use for identity theft. A high security locking mailbox is a must for mail identity theft prevention.

Elyria man believes mail stolen from home mailbox
The Morning Jounral - 8/5/10

(ELYRIA, OHIO) “A man had to notify his bank to cancel checks he’d written to pay bills Tuesday after he believed the bills he’d left out to be picked up by the mail carrier were stolen from his mailbox on the 200 block of Warden Avenue, according to an Elyria police report.

The man’s wife came home and found one of the five bills had been left behind and when she approached the mail carrier believing he’d left it behind by mistake, he said he hadn’t make it to their home yet, the report said.”

COMMENTS: It is highly fortunate that this Elyria man noticed that his outgoing mail was stolen. Now, he has (and should heed) the opportunity to put a credit alert on his accounts, as well as contact his bank to stop payment on the stolen checks. Most victims of mail theft are not so lucky. In fact, most people do not even realize when their mail has been stolen. Stolen mail is one of the most common ways that criminals find information used for identity theft. It is easy to find bank account statements, courtesy checks, social security statements and more all in your curbside mailbox. That is why it is so crucial to be vigilant with your mail. Use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss to protect your incoming mail. Never send sensitive mail like checks from an unsecured mailbox - bring them to the post office or use online bill pay, which is more secure. Finally, always shred sensitive documents (most of which come in the mailbox) before discarding them.

Mail Stolen From Randolph Co. Mailboxes
WHIO - 8/3/10

(RANDOLPH COUNTY, INDIANA) “Authorities in Indiana said someone has been stealing mail out of rural mailboxes in Randolph County.

The sheriff’s office said they are investigating the thefts. They said someone has been removing outgoing mail from rural mailboxes.The people are looking for checks used to pay bills and then altering those checks and cashing them. Deputies said if you see any kind of suspicious activity, call the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.”

COMMENTS: Mail identity theft is happening across the nation and residents should take precautions. People should know that thieves are not only looking for checks to wash and fraudulently cash; they are also looking to steal your incoming mail to find sensitive information to use for identity theft. In your mailbox, criminals can find bank statements, credit card offers, courtesy checks, utility statements, social security information and more! To protect yourself from mail identity theft, use a high security locking mailbox like the MailBoss to secure incoming mail, and never send sensitive mail like checks from an unsecure mailbox. Finally, always shred sensitive documents (most of which come in your mailbox) before discarding them.

Mail Theft Results in Neighborhood Watch
KTNA 88.9FM - 8/3/10

(TALKEETNA, ALASKA) “Whether residents like it or not, it seems that summer is the time when crime increases. Even though it might not seem serious to some, troopers and federal investigators were called for what will be considered a federal crime, if the guilty party doesn’t return the stolen Netflix soon.”

COMMENTS: Not much to go on here, but I take this story to indicate that there has been an increase in mail theft in the Susitna Valley of Alaska, and residents have taken notice. To prevent mail identity theft, use a high quality lockable mailbox that secures your incoming mail.

Four Arrested in Staunton Mail Theft Case
WHSV 3 - 8/3/10

(STAUNTON, VIRGINIA) “Four arrests have been made after a rash of mail thefts in Staunton.

Staunton police arrested Hillary Reed, April Renee Brown, Dion Saunders and Melissa Nofflet for allegedly taking mail from people’s mailboxes and looking for cash, checks and personal information. [...]

Police say several tips, combined with some diligent leg-work Sunday night, led to Monday morning’s arrests.

“It was basically all night long, the entire shift put all the effort in. I’m just finishing up now this morning at 11 o’clock, so it was a team effort. We were able to put everything together, and it came together fine,” says Officer Jeremy Campbell of the Staunton Police Department.

Campbell says, when police made the arrests, the suspects were surprised that police were able to identify them.

During a search of Nofflet’s residence on Ridge Road, police found several of the stolen letters and even identified more Staunton residents who may not know they were victims.

“It’s probably still out there now that people don’t even know that their mail was stolen, and they need to come forward now so we can continue with charges,” says Campbell.

Police are still identifying more victims and are asking Staunton residents to check bank statements and make sure that service providers received payments.

Right now, the suspects are only facing state charges, but police say the evidence will be given to federal prosecutors as well.

Stealing mail is a federal offense.”

COMMENTS: As evident from what the police found in this case, when these criminals steal your mail, they are not just looking for checks to wash and fraudulently cash. They are looking for your personal information and anything they can use to commit identity theft.

Another point made here that is worth noting: many of the victims had not even reported their mail missing to police. In all likelihood, this is because they did not realize their mail had been stolen. In fact, most victims of identity theft do not know how their information was compromised.

To prevent mail identity theft, it is of the utmost importance to be vigilant with incoming and outgoing mail. Use a high security mailbox like the Mail Boss to secure incoming mail, and never send checks from an unsecured mailbox. Remember that paying bills online is more secure. Finally, shred all sensitive documents (most of which come in the mail) before discarding them. These simple steps will go along way in preventing mail identity theft from happening to you.

Sheriff warns about rural mailbox thieves
Winchester News-Gazette - 8/2/10

(RANDOLPH COUNTY, INDIANA) “The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department has been investigating thefts of mail from rural mailboxes. Investigators believe the perpetrator is removing outgoing mail and looking for personal checks used to pay bills. The checks are then being altered and cashed.

The sheriff is asking rural citizens to report any suspicious activity, such as unfamiliar vehicles or unfamiliar mail carriers pulling up to boxes. Anyone who notices something suspicious should report it by calling 765-584-1721.

Detective Tom Pullins does not recommend for citizens to approach the suspicious persons or vehicles. Instead, the citizens should try to obtain a description of the vehicle or the person without placing themselves in danger. [...]”

COMMENTS: Mail identity theft is an epidemic across the nation. Yes, thieves look for checks to wash, so you should never leave sensitive outgoing mail in an unsecured mailbox. However, they also look for your personal incoming mail where they can find a treasure trove of information for identity theft. Bank statements, credit card offers, courtesy checks, utility bills and more can all be used to steal your identity. You don’t throw these things in the trash before shredding or burning them, so why leave them in your unlocked mailbox for thieves to steal?

To secure your mail and your identity, use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. The Mail Boss locking mailbox is affordable and available at Ace Hardware, True Value and Rural King.

Three Arrested for Mailbox Thefts
WHSV 3 - 8/2/10

(STAUNTON, VIRGINIA) “During the past few weeks, the Staunton Police Department has been dealing with thefts from mail boxes, and three people have been charged for the crimes.

Police say the thieves were specifically looking for bill payment checks put in mailboxes that had their flags up.

Hillary Reed faces four counts of petty larceny on a third or subsequent offense, two counts of forgery, two counts of uttering and two misdemeanor counts of obtaining money by false pretenses.

April Renee Brown is charged with three counts of petty larceny on a third or subsequent offense and one misdemeanor charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.

Dion Saunders faces one count of obtaining money by false pretenses, but police say he will face additional charges.

All three of these people are currently in custody.

Police say there is a fourth suspect, Melissa Nofflet, whose home on Ridge Road was searched as part of the investigation into the thefts. They say she will be charged.

According to police, some more victims were identified because of the investigation into these incidents.

COMMENTS: It’s so important to secure your incoming mail with a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss. Thieves target your mail where they can find everything they need for identity theft. You don’t throw away your social security or bank statements without shredding or burning them, so don’t leave your mail out there for thieves to steal. The Mail Boss will secure your mail and identity, and is affordable at Ace Hardware and True Value.

Okay, no more Negative Nancy here. Moving on, to all the latest and greatest across the United States… err… Well, we will just fill you in on all the scumbags ripping off the mail (just in case you are not yet convinced that you need a locking mailbox).

Without further ado, here we go!

Police Warn About a Rash of Mailbox Break-Ins in Staunton
WHSV 3 - 7/30/10

(STAUNTON, VIRGINIA) “Staunton police have issued a warning after a rash of break-ins and thefts, only this time the thieves aren’t targeting businesses. Instead, they are stealing from mailboxes

According to Officer Lisa Klein, police received several more reports Friday morning of mailbox break-ins in Staunton.

“What’s happened is people grab all the mail, then they go through it, take what they want and throw the rest away. So, we’ve had reports of torn up mail along the side of the street,” says Klein.

However, the thieves aren’t after birthday cards and magazines. They are looking for checks, specifically bill payments.

In this case, a late fee may be the least of the victim’s worries.

“The real concern is the identity theft because, once you have that check, you have the routing number, and you have the check number and the name,” says Klein.

For criminals, targeting a victim is made easy by the literal “red flag” on the mailbox.

“It’s unfortunate, because that’s what the mailboxes are for,” comments Klein.

She says most of these crimes are happening at night, and one of the best ways to keep mail safe is to simply take it out in the morning. It’s an easy change mail carrier Tom Miller hopes people will make.

“I try to make sure that the mail is secure when I deliver it. Hopefully, people will take the same precautions with their mail receptacle,” says Miller.

Precautions, like checking your mail daily, are thing Miller says not everybody does.

“Then just get their mail as soon as they get from work or wherever they are because, a lot of times, I see mail in there the next day from the previous day,” adds Miller.

Staunton police also suggest dropping any confidential mail directly into one of the blue U.S. Postal mailboxes the city has downtown.

Both Miller and Klein say these simple changes can go a long way to make sure a mailbox isn’t red flagged by criminals.

Klein also warns that stealing mail is a federal crime.”

COMMENTS: We don’t often hear about mail theft in places like Virginia, where residents think this kind of crime doesn’t happen in their neighborhood. The sad reality is that mail identity theft happens everywhere, and crooks are NOT just looking for checks. They are looking for anything with your personal information on it, including bank statements, credit card offers, social security statements, and more. It’s not enough to simply check your mail promptly, as many would-be identity thieves are so brazen they will follow the postal carriers to steal your mail, and victims rarely notice when something goes missing.

To prevent mail identity theft, (1) use a high security locking mailbox to secure incoming mail; (2) never send checks from an unsecured mailbox - bring sensitive outgoing mail to the post office, or better yet use online bill pay (it’s more secure!); and (3) shred all sensitive documents (most of which come in the mailbox) before discarding them.

Man sentenced on mail theft charge
The Sun Herald - 7/29/10

(GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI) “A Hattiesburg man has been sentenced to 18 months on federal charges of possession of stolen mail containing checks totaling $23,000.

The Sun Herald reports that U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. sentenced 47-year-old James Clifford Plummer Jr. earlier this month.

The judge also ordered Plummer to repay Chase Bank $13,000, participate in a drug-treatment program and complete a program equivalent to a high school diploma.

Prosecutors say the stolen mail contained three Chase Bank convenience checks totaling $23,000. They say Plummer used 2 of the checks, which were stolen in Harrison County in 2007.

Prosecutors say Plummer lived on the coast at the time.

Federal marshals arrested Plummer in Hattiesburg in January.”

COMMENTS: We don’t hear of mail theft in Mississippi often, and if you ask people from the deep south if they have a locking mailbox, they often ask what a lock mailbox is, or laugh in your face. In our neck of the woods (that’s the Pacific Northwest) most everyone has a secure mailbox. Maybe the meth heads just started ripping off our mail along time ago, so we’re a bit ahead of the curve. Regardless, it has become quite apparent that mail identity theft is a rampant problem across the country, and no regions are immune. The solution is a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss to keep those convenience checks (and other sensitive documents) out of the hands of crooks like Plummer. Easy!

Police: Man stole checks from mailbox
News Herald - 7/28/10

(MARIANNA, FLORIDA) “Police say a Jackson County man arrested after a search of his residence early Wednesday morning was stealing mail from throughout the county.

He also had stolen property and instruments used to manufacture methamphetamine, authorities said.

In the early morning hours, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Marianna Police Department executed a search warrant at 3025 State Correctional Rd., the residence of Larry Leroy Leitzel Jr. During the search of the residence, a news release said, officers located stolen property, “instrumentalities used to manufacture methamphetamine,” and various pieces of mail taken from mail boxes throughout Jackson County.

“It appears that the suspect was removing checks from the mail and attempting to wash the checks to alter the payee information,” the release said.

The Sheriff’s Office was able to determine that mail was taken from mail boxes on Leland Road, Old Cottondale Road, and Friendship Church Road. It appeared the checks were removed from the mail boxes between July 25 through 26, 2010.

The Sheriff’s Office urged all Jackson County residents to check with their financial institutions to determine if their checks had been passed and to contact the Sheriff’s Office if altered. The checks were originally written to pay bills.

Charges are forthcoming.”

COMMENTS: Observation #1 - Identity theft and methamphetamine go hand in hand. It’s always the tweakers who are stealing mail, checks, and anything they can get their hands on to fund their drug habit.

Observation #2 - Kudos to the Sheriff’s Office for getting the word out about being vigilant with outgoing mail. However, residents also need to secure their incoming mail to prevent identity theft. Courtesy checks, credit card statements, bank account information and more all come to your mailbox, and offer a treasure trove of information for would-be identity thieves.

Advice to Prevent Mail Identity Theft - (1) Use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss to secure incoming mail. (2) Do not send checks from a non secure mailbox; take them to the post office, or better yet use online bill pay - it’s more secure. (3) Always shred sensitive documents (most of which come in your mailbox) before discarding them.

Stupid Mail Thief With Kids
FOX News Florida

COMMENTS: The nerve of some people! Thieves nowadays are so brazen, you really have to be vigilant with your mail and packages. If you order packages via USPS you can use a high security package mailbox like the Mail Boss Package Master to prevent package theft. If you receive packages via FedEx or UPS you should request “signature required” delivery to prevent package theft. Regardless, you should use a high security locking mailbox to prevent mail identity theft.

In and of itself, this is not blog-worthy. However, if you look closely you see that the MailSafe (which we’ve reviewed previously) is actually sitting atop the Mail Boss locking mailbox package!

See???

Apparently, they have upgraded to the Mail Boss: a locking mailbox that, unlike the MailSafe, can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver!

And that, my friends, makes my (Fri)day!

Bellevue Reporter - 7/23/10

(BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON) “A total of 10 mailboxes were pried open by an unknown person(s) in the 4200 block and north of Hunts Point Road in July.

Although the boxes were tampered with, there have been no reports of anything taken.

The tampering occurred between 10 p.m. July 21 and 10 a.m. July 22.”

COMMENTS: Hunts Point - that’s in our backyard! What kinds of locking mailboxes were these? There are videos on www.mailboss.net showing many competitors’ “secure” mailboxes being easily pried open with a screwdriver. If you’re going to invest in a locking mailbox you should get one that can’t easily be pried open. Mail Boss has a patented anti-pry latch that makes leveraged entry exceedingly difficult.

To the victims of mail tampering in Hunts Point, I would recommend putting a credit alert with one of the 3 major credit unions for the next year, just to be safe. Monitor your credit report. Often crooks get your sensitive mail - you might not even miss it if you weren’t expecting it. Then they may not use it for awhile… until they collect enough information for identity theft.

Two admit to cashing stolen checks
STLToday.com - 7/23/10

(ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI) “April Lynn Dunn and Keleen Badalmenti, both of St. Louis, pleaded guilty Thursday of mail theft and bank fraud for stealing mail and cashing stolen checks. They admitted in U.S. District Court to stealing two checks worth $1,914 from a man in Florissant. Investigators said the women cruised through neighborhoods in St. Louis, Jefferson and Franklin counties and stole checks from mailboxes. Sentencing is set for Oct. 21.”

COMMENTS: Mail theft and check fraud is a going problem. NEVER send checks from an unsecured mailbox; they can easily be stolen, washed and fraudulently cashed. Bring your checks to the post office directly, or better yet use online bill pay. It’s more secure. Also, it’s important to secure incoming mail with a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss to prevent thieves from stealing your sensitive documents they can use for identity theft. Finally, shred all mail before discarding it.

Post Office Punches and Census Scare
Flathead Beacon - 7/22/10

(FLATHEAD VALLEY, MONTANA) “Wednesday 7/21: 8:11 a.m. After stealing a Bigfork resident’s mail, someone thoughtlessly tore it up and tossed it into a ditch. [...]”

COMMENTS: Oh. my. gosh. It’s mail theft… in Montana! For all you naysayers in Montana who say that doesn’t happen in “The Treasure State” - well crooks have found a new treasure: your mail!

Sacramento mail thief sentenced to 5 years
ABC 10 - 7/21/10

(SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA) “Convictions for mail theft and possession of stolen credit and ATM cards has gotten a Sacramento man five years in prison to be followed by three years of probation.

Lauren Horwood, spokeswoman for the Eastern District, U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento, said Henry M. Martinez, 46, was arrested on Jan. 27, 2009 for possessing more than 200 pieces of stolen mail taken from several dozen victims and at least 15 credit cards and ATM cards belonging to others.

The prosecution said the monetary loss of the stolen mail and cards was more than $30,000.”

COMMENTS: Glad to see Horwood put away for a decent amount of time. Now hopefully he is not released after serving only a fraction of his sentences (due to overcrowded prisons) like most mail thieves and so-called “white collar” criminals.

Mail theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation, and most victims don’t know when their mail has been stolen. The best defense is a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss to keep your mail and identity secure.

In brief: Drugs stolen from mailbox
The Tribune-Democrat - 7/20/10

(SEWARD, PENNSYLVANIA) “State police Tuesday were looking for whoever stole a 112-count bottle of hydrocodone from the residence of Stephen C. Shesko, 62, of Route 56 in East Wheatfield Township.

The bottle had been mailed and was stolen from the mailbox sometime between Friday and Monday, state police said. [...]”

COMMENTS: Theft or prescription drugs from unlocked mailboxes is common. Just as a secure locking mailbox can prevent mail identity theft, so can it prevent small package theft. If you want your medications to arrive safe and sound, you should consider investing in the Mail Boss Package Master, which safely and securely stores mail as well as small packages.

(SEATTLE, WASHINGTON) “Anyone else in Maple Leaf having a problem with mail theft? I remember at a Maple Leaf Community Council meeting earlier this year, this issue was brought up — but I thought I had heard they caught the main culprit.

Either they didn’t, or a copy cat has emerged.

We got a letter from the postal service about a month ago telling us they caught someone and they scanned a copy of some of the mail addressed to my household that was in the thief’s possession. Cue the scrambling to check my bank and credit card statements! All good, phew. Although just recently I received a notice that I failed to show up for jury duty — would have been nice to receive the first notice. Makes me wonder how much other mail I’m missing.

This morning, I walked outside to see that the four mailboxes outside my house were open, and the only thing left in them was coupon books/pamphlets. Looks like we have another mail thief in our hands in Maple Leaf.

If you have questions — you can reach the Seattle Postal Service office at 877-876-2455. You can also report mail theft here at the U.S. Postal Service’s website.

Want to prevent mail theft? The Pinehurst Seattle blog has some good tips on where to purchase a locking mailbox. It’s always good to first check with the postal service, though, as there are restrictions on what type of mailbox you can have. Thanks, Donna, for the reminder – Maple Leaf Ace also carries security locking mailboxes!!”

COMMENTS: The Mail Boss is the high security mailbox that is available at Maple Leaf Ace Hardware. The Mail Boss is a family owned company based in Redmond Washington. Epoch Design started making the Mail Boss locking mailbox back in 2006 after the owners had their mail stolen 3 times in as many months and all the products found at Home Depot and online were made of cheap materials and could easily be pried open. The Mail Boss is a high security locking mailbox available in curbside and wall mount options that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver. It is made of heavy gauge galvanized powder coated steel and keeps your mail and identity safe. Also can take a baseball bat no problem.

Mail theft is a growing problem across the nation but particularly in Seattle. It is not just “one guy” who is out there doing this. Your mail is not safe just because he/she was caught. This is an ongoing and growing problem across the nation!

Most everyone uses a paper shredder to shred their sensitive documents before discarding them, but don’t think about where these documents come: in the unlocked mailbox. Research indicates that “old-fashioned” low tech methods (and not cyber crimes as is often believed) constitute the majority of identity theft cases, so the best defense is:

1. Use a high security locking mailbox to protect incoming mail. The Mail Boss is a great option. Fort Knox and Armadillo also offer high security mailboxes.
2. Never send sensitive mail from an unsecured mailbox; bring checks to the Post Office or better yet use online bill pay.
3. Always shred sensitive documents (most of which come in your unlocked mailbox) before discarding them.

ALERT: Watch out for mail thieves
In Contra Costa Blog - 7/15/10

(CLAYCORD, CALIFORNIA) “Mail thieves in CLAYCORD, they’ve been around for a long time, but it’s probably good to throw a reminder out there once in a while, especially since I just received a disturbing email….

Please tell people not to put outgoing mail that includes checks in their mailbox.

There have been a series of stolen mail on the border of Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. Somebody stole a check and later that day cashed it for $3800.

Thanks for the info! Be careful what you put in your mailbox!”

COMMENTS: Good advice: Don’t send checks from an unsecured mailbox. Equally if not more important, though: Secure your incoming mail! With a check, a thief can wash it and fraudulently cash it and it’s a pain to reconcile it with the banks. But in your incoming mail, a thief can often find everything needed to steal your identity. If your ID is compromised it can take years and thousands of dollars to rectify the situation. Bank account statements, courtesy checks, credit card offers, utility bills, social security statements and more all come in your mailbox.

A high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss is a must to secure your incoming mail and protect your good name. When choosing a locking mailbox, make sure you find one made of quality materials (heavy gauge steel) that can’t be fished by hand or easily pried open with a screwdriver.

2 arrested in Alpine after police discover burglary tools, stolen mail
Deseret News - 7/14/10

(ALPINE, UTAH) “Two people were arrested in Alpine after police say they discovered 51 burglary tools, a $1,000 diamond, drugs and more than 50 pieces of stolen mail in the truck the pair were driving Tuesday.

Alishia Miller, 34, and Dennis Shunn, 41, were pulled over about 2:45 a.m. Tuesday after a police officer noticed one of the truck’s headlights was out, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.

During a search, the officer discovered burglary tools, including pliers, black ski masks, a glass punch and Slim Jims, the affidavit states. The officer also found the mail that belonged to 15 different people and included birth certificates, bank account statements and personal checks made out and signed.

Shunn admitted to owning a black bag found in the truck that contained methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a diamond and some of the burglary tools, according to the affidavit.

Miller and Shunn were each booked for investigation of 51 counts of possession of burglary tools. Miller was also booked for investigation of a pattern of unlawful activity, mail theft, possession of stolen property and other charges. Shunn was also booked for investigation of various drug and stolen property charges.”

COMMENTS: Isn’t it ridiculous what you can find in a mailbox? Birth certificates! Bank Statements! CHECKS!!! It is unfathomable that so many people still use regular ol’ mailboxes like all their personal information is perfectly safe. The reality is to protect your identity you need to use a high security locking mailbox to keep your mail from thieves. You don’t throw your mail away before shredding it… so what makes you think that thieves would rather steal your trash from a dump than your mail from an unlocked (or low-quality locking) mailbox?

Five sentenced in Placer County check fraud
Sacramento Bee - 7/14/10

(PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA) “Seven members of a crime ring that stole checks out of rural mailboxes in Placer County and used account and routing numbers to create counterfeit checks have been sentenced to jail and prison terms.

Banks and individuals lost thousands of dollars as a result of the fraudulent activities that occurred between February and October of 2009, according to a Placer County District Attorney’s Office news release.

“We are aware of more than a dozen victims whose account information was used and of probably another dozen stores and banks that were victimized when fraudulent checks were passed,” prosecutor Dan Quick said in a written statement.

[...] The counterfeiters came to law enforcement officers’ attention when one of the defendants was caught after trying to pass a phony check at a business. Phony checks found in the suspect’s vehicle led to the arrests of others involved in the operation.

Quick advised residents of rural areas to use caution when putting up the red flag on their mailboxes. In addition to alerting postal carriers to outgoing mail, they may be alerting thieves that they are sending out a check. He recommended people drop their letters in a mailbox at a post office.”

COMMENTS: Residents need to be cautious not only with their outgoing mail, but also with their incoming mail. Crooks can steal and wash a check and cash it fraudulently, but with your incoming mail they can attain information to use for identity theft, which can be much more financially devastating. Secure your mail and protect your identity with a secure locking mailbox, and never send checks from an unlocked box! It’s better to use online bill pay.

Pair sought in mail theft case
Lubbock Avalanche Journal - 7/14/10

(LUBBOCK, TEXAS) “Authorities are looking for two suspects wanted on mail theft charges.
Officials say Crystal Torres Martinez, 22, and Macedonio Armando Flores III, 24, are hiding from law enforcement after being indicted by a federal grand jury in April.

The pair is accused of possessing checks stolen from mail boxes in Lubbock on Oct. 22, according to their federal indictments.

Martinez was described as Hispanic, about 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 125 pounds, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. She has a tattoo “XXI” on her left ring finger.

Flores was described as Hispanic, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He has “Abagail” tattooed on his right wrist. He has several aliases, including “Dodat” and “Mac Flores.”

Authorities urge caution around the suspects and ask that residents don’t try to apprehend them.

Anyone with information should call (877) 876-2455 or a local law enforcement agency.”

COMMENTS: If these two are missing, I’d be keeping an eye on your residential mailbox. It’s very likely that Martinez and Flores are still on the streets stealing mail for quick cash, or worse, identity theft. To protect yourself, use a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss to secure incoming mail, and never send mail from an unlocked box. Bring checks to the post office or use online bill pay.