There are so many mail identity theft stories from the past week, so I’ll get right to it:

Gadsden man convicted of mail fraud, sentenced to two years in prison
WCSC - 3/8/10

(GADSDEN, SC) “A Gadsden man was convicted of mail fraud and sentenced to two years in prison and to pay restitution for the deed, the US Attorney’s office said Monday. Otis J. Goodwin, Jr., 32, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.

According to the indictment, between June 2006 and November 2007, Goodwin and his co-defendant Wendy Constance Evans, 45, opened checking accounts at a credit union usen stolen personal information. The duo allegedly opened the accounts to receive and pass checks in the community. Evans pleaded guilty to mail fraud in December, 2008 and sentenced in October of last year.”

COMMENTS: It is refreshing to see a mail identity thief be sentenced to a substantial amount of prison time. I just hope this “2 year sentence” doesn’t turn into 4 months time served with probation, in which case he’ll be back on the street victimizing hard working Americans via mail identity theft in no time.

It’s in the mail
Star-Telegram - 3/6/10

(HALTOM CITY, TX) “Postal Service officials have refused to share information with the public about a rash of outdoor mailbox break-ins, but they’re apparently advising members of Congress. Last month, District Manager Garry Gilmore wrote a letter to U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, that was passed on to me.

Postal records indicate, he writes, that the mailbox outside the Haltom City station was broken into in early January. (Originally, the station manager denied to The Watchdog that there was a break-in.)

“Mail theft from collection boxes is a relatively recent development in the Metroplex,” the letter says. The letter urges customers to mail letters inside a post office if the last collection time for the outdoor box has already passed.

I’m trying to get a list for readers of all mailbox thefts outside post offices. I filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the postal inspection service in Washington, D.C.”

COMMENTS: It’s no secret that “cluster boxes” and most locking mailboxes do not provide adequate mail security, but it’s sad when even the government provided collection boxes aren’t truly secure. Maybe the USPS should consider upping the level of security on their collection boxes (as well as the cluster boxes they provide to some HOAs, etc.) if they have any aspirations of staying in business in the years to come.

Protect yourself from identity theft
WLBT- 3/4/10

(JACKSON, MS) “Identity theft comes with a hefty price tag. Last year it cost Americans $54 billion. Although safe guarding your information is easy many of us neglect to do it.

“You think, ‘Oh that would never really protect me,’ but in reality those are the most effective tools to protect against identity theft,” said Director of the Consumer Protection Division of the Mississippi Attorney General’s office Meredith Aldridge. She suggested starting with the mail.

Your mailbox is a gold mine for thieves looking for your personal information. How do you know what needs to be shredded or just trashed? Any paper containing personal information like your social security number, account numbers, even receipts need to be shredded. What about those pre-approved credit card solicitations? They may not state any of your personal information, still they are useful for identity thieves.

“If someone else has been going through your mail they may be able to obtain that, complete an application and eventually change the address where you would not realize someone had applied for credit in your name,” said Aldridge.

Aldridge said cut up old credit cards in as many pieces as you can. Then place the pieces in separate garbage bags to be taken out on different trash days. “Sounds like a lot of work. But I tell you, you will be glad that you did that when someone is not able to put those credit cards back together,” said Aldridge. [...]”

COMMENTS: I TOTALLY don’t get this article. It looks like it’s going to make the most important point… and then it doesn’t: “Your mailbox is a gold mine for thieves looking for your personal information. How do you know what needs to be shredded or just trashed?”

AND THEN:”"If someone else has been going through your mail they may be able to obtain that, complete an application and eventually change the address where you would not realize someone had applied for credit in your name,” [...]. Aldridge said cut up old credit cards in as many pieces as you can. Then place the pieces in separate garbage bags to be taken out on different trash days.”

SERIOUSLY? How do you know what to shred? Take trash out on different days? WOW.

Tell me this: How do you know that your mail isn’t stolen BEFORE you even have a chance to shred and discard it? Why even bother if you don’t protect your mail at the source: the mailbox.

People need to use a high security locking mailbox. Otherwise, why even bother shredding your mail, because I guarantee a thief is more likely to grab it from your mailbox than from the dump. Much cleaner.

Common sense people, common sense.

Over 100 Indicted in Complex Louisville Fraud Ring

WFPL - 3/4/10

(LOUISVILLE, KY) “A two-year investigation by Louisville Metro Police and the Louisville division of the Secret Service is wrapping up with more than 100 indictments. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Paul Johnson says a few more indictments could be filed in the next few days.

He says a few leaders in the crime ring were running a complex counterfeit check scheme that also included identity theft, check kiting, and opening fraudulent bank accounts. He says nearly half-a-million dollars was stolen from Louisville banks, businesses and individuals.

“Almost every Louisville Metro bank was victimized,” says Johnson. “There were over 52 individuals who were either victims of identity theft, mail theft, or having their information stolen from their automobiles. There were over 62 businesses and not-for-profit businesses as well.” [...]”

COMMENTS: Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country, and the majority of identity theft is perpetuated the old-fashioned way (stolen wallets, mail and trash). People are very vigilant about shredding their sensitive documents, but often do not think about where these documents are coming from: their curbside mailbox.

Sadly, a locking mailbox is a necessity in today’s world. As long as people continue to receive bank statements, utility bills, credit card offers, social security checks and more in their mailbox, they need to secure their mail (and protect their identity) with a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss. Without a security mailbox, the venerable paper shredder is futile.

Lexington woman charged with identity theft, fraud, mail theft
WMBF - 3/3/10

(COLUMBIA, SC) “A Lexington woman is facing several charges after stealing a driver’s license and using it to pass off stolen checks. According to United States Attorney Kevin F. McDonald, 49-year-old Linda Hamel Bacon was charged in a federal indictment with bank fraud, mail theft, and aggravated identity theft.

Bacon allegedly stole a driver’s license [...], and then presented the stolen license to pass checks that she had stolen from other individuals’ mailboxes. These incidents occurred in November and December of 2009. Investigators say she obtained more than $6,000 using the stolen checks and false identification. [...]”

COMMENTS: Check fraud via the mail is quite common. Consumers should use a special ball point pen that hinders check washing, and of course use a high security locking mailbox to secure incoming mail.

Sandy police bust multi-state burglary ring
Sandy Post - 3/3/10

(SANDY, OR) “[...] Sandy Officer Jason Bickle was [on] a case that would eventually consume two months of Bickle’s time; involve officers in several counties and two states; and eventually crush a constantly moving burglary ring. Besides Sandy, an initial inventory of the pilfered items proved they were from such Oregon communities as Gresham, Beaverton, Portland and Roseburg; and in Washington state from Vancouver, Camas, Clark County and Lewis County.

Even though all of the cases were cold and unsolved in the other jurisdictions, Bickle pursued the Sandy burglary and in the process solved all of the other cases in one fell swoop. [...] “We ended up recovering a whole bunch of stolen property,” Bickle said. “We probably assisted in solving a dozen felonies from eight or nine jurisdictions.”

A Sandy man lost about $35,000 in jewelry, electronics and under-the-tree Christmas gifts Dec. 24, 2009, including gift cards supposedly mailed to another state. That mail, however, was taken illegally first by the female resident in Sandy and stolen by the people in this burglary ring.

Not only did Bickle have to deal with evidence that was turning up in Washington state and other parts of Oregon, but he also was receiving false information from at least one who claimed to be a victim. One of the stolen gift cards turned out to be the key in identifying the ringleader in the series of burglaries. When the gift card was used at its intended business, the person using the gift card had to use a credit card to pay the amount over the gift card’s value. The credit card just happened to be one of the cards stolen from the Sandy residence. That fact tied the stolen mail to the burglary,” Bickle said.

Another break in the case came when a meth addict in the Multnomah County Jail told Bickle about someone who had been bragging about the Sandy burglary. With that information, Bickle asked a Clark County officer to obtain a search warrant for a home in Vancouver — the home of the alleged ringleader.

That Feb. 3 search, conducted by a half-dozen Sandy officers and others from Portland and Clark County, produced a treasure trove. “(At the Vancouver home) we didn’t find all of the (Sandy) stolen property,” Bickle said, “but we did find enough stolen property to tie (the suspect) to felonies in many different jurisdictions. We tied her to car prowls, identity theft, stolen license plates and we even found meth in the house.”

Officers staking out the home also discovered she had stolen a vehicle and a moving trailer containing everything a Portland family owned because they had just moved from Nevada but hadn’t unloaded the trailer. Bickle said it seemed like every time this woman went anywhere she stole something. [...]

Later discovered was the fact she was not in the venture alone. In fact, suspected in the middle of the burglary ring was the ex-husband of the woman living with the owner of the burglarized Sandy home. But police received absolutely no cooperation from the man. He denied everything, even those things that were undeniable.

Bickle reported the man denied using meth, or knowing his friends, or being part of the burglary, or meeting his ex-wife and giving her one of the gift cards for their son, or being involved in any criminal activity — even though police say they have evidence from the Sandy home with the man’s DNA and a number of witnesses identifying him.

[...] There were a number of witnesses and informants, and the common thread is they all use or sell meth, financing their expenses by stealing and selling merchandise on an online sales Web site. [...]

“We know who our suspects are,” he said, “and we’re just going to let this case go to grand jury. If there are warrants, we’ll arrest them. But the problem is so many jurisdictions are all going to want her (the Vancouver woman).”

The case has been turned over to the district attorneys in a number of counties as well as federal agents (mail theft). Bickle believes the woman will be indicted by a Washington grand jury and stand trial there before answering to any of the Oregon crimes.

COMMENTS: This story lends further evidence to the little-known truth that methamphetamine addicts often work in teams to support their habit. Most commonly, they steal mail and other information for identity theft. Less commonly, they burglarize homes and cares. They work in highly sophisticated teams to victimize hard-working citizens. They are difficult to catch, so hats off to the Sandy police department for getting these crooks off the street (hopefully for a long while!).

Lee deputies seek woman suspected of cashing stolen check
News-Press - 3/2/10

(FORT MYERS, FL) “Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a woman who deputies say cashed a stolen paycheck, then walked away with nearly $300 in cash. According to deputies, the victim was expecting a paycheck from her employer in them mail, which was sent on January 29. More than a week later, the employee still hadn’t received her check, so she inquired with her employer if it was indeed mailed. The employer confirmed that not only had the check been sent, but that it had also been cashed.

Further investigation showed that an unknown female suspect went to a south Fort Myers grocery store on February 2, produced some kind of identification, and successfully cashed the stolen check. The victim said she was still in possession of her drivers license, and had no idea how someone could have produced identification in order to cash the check.

Surveillance cameras captured the woman leaving the customer service desk, and detectives are hopeful someone will be able to identify her. [...] Anyone with information on the identity, and the current whereabouts, of this woman is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.”

COMMENTS: It is not surprising that this woman was able to (presumably wash and) cash this stolen check. Mail thieves often work in teams, with some individuals stealing the mail and others compiling information or creating false IDs if necessary used to wash and forge checks. The victim could have prevented this from happening with a high security locking mailbox to secure incoming mail and protect her identity.

Roseville man pleads guilty to mail theft
The Union - 3/2/10

(ROSEVILLE, CA) “A Roseville man suspected of stealing mail in Nevada County pleaded guilty in federal court Monday morning. Keith Allen Skipper, 35, pleaded guilty to theft of U.S. mail and possession of stolen mail. [...] This case is the product of an investigation by the [USPIS], the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department.

On Dec. 9, 2009, Nevada County Sheriff’s deputies found Skipper with a large amount of mail addressed to approximately 51 addresses. Among the mail were items that had been reported stolen from a neighborhood collection box. He was charged in Nevada County Superior Court and released on bail.

While out on bail, Skipper stole more mail from residential mail boxes in El Dorado County between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22 to get Christmas cash and gift cards that had been mailed. El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies stopped him Dec. 22 for a broken brake light. During a search of the vehicle, they found a large amount of stolen mail in the front seat and took him into custody.”

COMMENTS: It is typical that mail thieves like Skipper (as well as criminals in general, one could argue) are repeat offenders. Being arrested or even convicted does not deter them from a life of crime. With mail theft, it is particularly difficult to keep these people off the streets, as the punishments often include little more than a slap on the wrist. That is one of the reasons these indivuals turn to mail theft (inevitably to support their drug habits) - because the punishment if/when caught is so minimal in comparison with other crimes such as, say, armed robbery.

Supporting local hardware stores - one step toward saving the economy

With the state of our economy, we all need to be conscious of how we spend our money. Small business is the cornerstone of a healthy economy, employing over 60% of Americans. With that in mind, we came across a cause we hope you will all support.

Check out the 3/50 Project here.

In short, the 3/50 project is an effort in “SAVING THE BRICK AND MORTARS ARE NATION IS BUILT ON“…

… and it involves:

3: What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Stop in. Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keep those businesses around.

50: If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 the employed population did that.

68: For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.

1: The number of people it takes to start the trend… you.

This project really hit home for us, mostly because Mail Boss as a brand is fully dedicated to supporting small independent hardware stores. We DO NOT sell inline at Home Depot or Lowe’s. You will not find our Mail Boss in these stores. We provide Ace Hardware, True Value, and other independent hardware stores with a product that they can profit from, and that also provides homeowners with a real solution to a growing problem: mail identity theft.

So your Friday Food for Thought: Stop in to your local Ace Hardware or True Value and say hello… make a purchase. And remember that you are supporting not only that business but also your community.

It’s almost Spring, though it may not seem like it in the Northeast. Here in Seattle it’s nice and sunny, and tax season is upon us.

*Da* Da* DUN*

What does that mean to you? Besides impending quality time with Turbo Tax, juggling deductions, and crossing fingers for refunds, tax season means mail thieves are prowling neighborhoods to get their hands on your mail.

This time of year, unlocked mailboxes offer criminals a wealth of sensitive documents to use in identity theft. Think about it: W2s and social security statements, in addition to the usual bank statements, credit card bills, pre-approved card offers, utility statements, etc., can all be found in the unlocked roadside treasure chest that is the rural mailbox.

Now more than ever, it is important for consumers to use a high security locking mailbox to protect their incoming mail and, by extension, their identity. For more information on the importance of a locking mailbox, check out these insightful articles. In the meantime, here is the latest in mail identity theft to bring us into March 2010:

Alleged mail thieves caught
Glendale News Press - 2/25/10

(GLENDALE, AZ) “Three people were arrested Wednesday for allegedly posing as joggers and stealing $500,000 worth of personal checks from Glendale and Los Angeles mailboxes, police said. Alfred Araza, Jung Kim and Cesar Austria, all of Los Angeles, targeted quiet and affluent Glendale neighborhoods for their runs, during which they used counterfeit keys to break into residential and apartment building mailboxes, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

“They were trying to fit into neighborhoods as joggers,” he said. Personal checks from the stolen mail were amended to different amounts and cashed out, resulting in a significant monetary loss for the victims, Lorenz said. Calls made to the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office were not returned Thursday.

The joggers were reportedly addicted to methamphetamine and stealing mail to support their habits, Lorenz said. Methamphetamine users, Lorenz said, are often responsible for committing mail thefts.

Since June, at least five residents have reported stolen mail to police and were able to provide descriptions of suspects and vehicles, he said.

Kim was released from custody in January after being arrested on suspicion of mail theft, Lorenz said. But it wasn’t until Financial Crimes Unit detectives began looking into Kim’s connections that the larger mail theft network was discovered. Two other men, including the alleged ringleader, were arrested in Los Angeles.

When detectives put Kim, Araza and Austria under surveillance, they saw the group jogging and stealing mail in Eagle Rock, Lorenz said. Police, along with the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office and Los Angeles County Probation Department, then obtained warrants and found stolen mail, washed checks and the mailbox keys at their homes, Lorenz said.

The U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office reported more than 6,000 mail theft suspects last year. Portions of California and Texas, along with Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., experience the highest amount of mail theft, according to the agency.

Mail theft carries a maximum five years in prison for every letter stolen, the agency’s spokeswoman Renee Focht said. The agency will present the case to the U.S. attorney’s office for prosecution, she said.

Anyone who believes they were a mail-theft victim can call (877) 876-2455, or submit a report at www. postalinspectors.uspis.gov.”

COMMENTS: There are many studies that show that mail theft is most commonly fueled by  methamphetamine use. Addicts can trade sensitive mail (used to commit identity theft) for methamphetamine, or cash to use for drugs. To learn more, check out these interesting articles. The best defense against mail theft is a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss. If you are going to spend money on a security locking mailbox, (a wise investment given the epidemic of mail identity theft), it is important to get one made of heavy-gauge steel, and with anti-pry features to secure your mail and protect your identity.

Residents warned of mail theft, check fraud
The Friday Flyer - 2/26/10

(CANYON LAKE, CA) “Corporal Ole Williams of the Canyon Lake Police Department reports an increase in check fraud stemming from mail theft within the gates. He says all deputies have at least one reported theft they are working on but he could not confirm the number of suspects involved. As many as seven Canyon Lake residents have reported up to 12 incidents of check fraud in recent months.

Outgoing mail, mostly checks sent to pay bills, is being stolen from the outgoing mail slot of cluster mailboxes. According to Corporal Williams, the thefts are not from any one particular location and have been reported at various areas in the community. The thieves have been washing the check or using the real routing and account numbers to create checks on their computers with a false name and false ID to make purchases. When the checks are used at a business and run through check machines, the funds are immediately deducted from the victim’s account.

Outgoing mail recommendations
Corporal Williams is recommending residents do not use mail slots in the cluster mailboxes for outgoing mail. At her “Coffee with the Mayor” on Tuesday morning, Mayor Nancy Horton confirmed the City is discouraging residents from using the outgoing slots and suggested they use the official USPS mailboxes at the Main Gate. It’s important to make sure mail drops securely into the mailbox.

Resident Terry O’Rourke, who was in attendance at the mayor’s meeting and is a former Post Office manager, said mailbox thefts were a problem as far back as the 1980s. He recommends not using any of the large USPS mailboxes at night after the last pick-up, as mail is more vulnerable to theft. [...]

Preventing and reporting theft
Residents who have experienced a theft are encouraged to report it to the Canyon Lake Police Department’s non-emergency line [...]. If a theft is suspected Corporal Williams recommends reporting it to all credit bureaus to flag credit in case something is missing. [...]

What’s being done?
There has not been a definitive solution to the problem yet. The Post Office says it won’t replace the cluster mailboxes, according to City Manager Lori Moss. She also says the POA and the City have received conflicting information on the cluster mailboxes and who is responsible for any replacement.

The individual boxes and their locks are the responsibility of the individual homeowners, according to Corporal Williams, who says he has recommended the POA get more of the blue USPS mailboxes for convenience and also so they won’t get full. According to the mayor, General Manager Clint Warrell of the POA is working with the Post Office on a specification for mailboxes. In the meantime, residents are warned to be cautious with their outgoing mail.”

COMMENTS: If outgoing mail is being stolen, more than likely incoming mail is being stolen too. Residents find out about theft of outgoing mail (check fraud) sooner than they find out about theft of incoming mail, which often results in full-blown, pulling your hair out, identity theft. This article gives useful tips for protecting outgoing mail, and I would add when possible, use online bill pay. Online bill payments are always going to be more secure than sending checks through the mail, regardless of what mailbox you use. This article does not, however, state the importance of using a high security locking mailbox to protect incoming mail and prevent mail identity theft. Consider yourself informed!

Mail Theft in Topeka
WIBW - 2/24/10

(TOPEKA, KS) “Your mail may be at risk depending on where you’re placing it. The Topeka Police Department has received multiple reports of mail being stolen directly from mailboxes in Topeka. In some cases these individuals were paying bills with personal checks which is exactly what theives are looking for. Times have certainly changed with thieves resorting to property crime.

The Topeka Police department has had multiple reports of stolen mail… a crime they say is all too easy. If you’ve got mail to send, give it to either carrier, put it in a blue mailbox, or go directly to the post office.

Mail theft is considered a felony and is happening all over the country not just Topeka. Another way to protect yourself is to use gel ink pens when writing your checks this way it will smear and make the check useless.

Financial Crime release from the Topeka Police Department:

[...] A simple solution is to go to Walmart, Office Max, etc. and buy the ball point pens that are specifically made to prevent tampering/removal. If the check is dipped in the solution it only leaves a big smear on the check rendering it useless.

When writing checks, dark colored ‘gel ink’ pens are considered the best. ‘Gel ink’ pens come in a variety of colors, but the dark blues and blacks are the best and hardest of the inks to be ‘washed’ by the criminal. [...]”

COMMENTS: See below.

TPD Alerts Citizens to Mailbox Thefts

WIBW 13 - 2/23/10

(TOPEKA, KS) “Topeka Police are putting out an alert to monitor your mailbox. TPD says it’s received several reports of outgoing mail taken from mailboxes. They say, in some cases, the mail in question was a bill payment which included the victim’s personal checks.

TPD says criminals can use a chemical to remove writing from checks and turn them blank, giving them a blank check to write as they please. In some cases, the checks have been used at casinos for thousands of dollars.

TPD suggests people take outgoing mail to a post office, rather than leaving it in their home mailbox. They also say retail stores sell ballpoint pens that are specifically made to prevent tampering or removal. They say dark colored ‘gel ink’ pens are considered the best for writing checks.

Additional tips from the U.S. Postal Service: Use the letter slots at your post office to mail letters, or give them to a letter carrier. Deposit mail in blue collection boxes before the last pick up time that appears on the schedule posted on each box. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items. If you won’t be home when the items are expected, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. Don’t send cash in the mail. Ask your bank for “secure” checks that can’t be altered. If you will be away from home for more than three days, ask the Post Office to hold your mail until you return. You can initiate a mail hold at the Post Office or online at USPS.com.

If you believe your mail was stolen, report it immediately to your local postmaster or a Postal Inspector. Postal Inspectors may determine whether your problem is isolated or part of a larger mail theft problem in your neighborhood–and it may help them locate and apprehend the thieves. (also file a report with your local law enforcement agency)

This is the time of year in which tax refund checks will be coming, and mail thefts generally go up. Keeping alert and reporting unusual or suspicious activity may save you or a neighbor from a future theft.”

COMMENTS: This news report primarily speaks to theft of outgoing mail; however, theft of incoming mail is really more of a serious threat. If a criminal steals a check from outgoing mail, he/she can wash it and fraudulently cash it. It generally takes very little time to learn this has happened, and worst case scenario you are out the amount the check was written for (though in most cases the banks will cover it). If a criminal steals multiple sensitive documents from incoming mail, he/she likely has enough information to steal your entire identity, open new credit accounts, and wreak havoc on your good name. Homeowners need to be vigilant about protecting both their outgoing and their incoming mail, and that requires the use of a high security locking mailbox. One last point: we wrote about the pen they refer to in this article here.

Mail theft on the rise in Tehama County
Red Bluff Daily News - 2/23/10

(TEHAMA COUNTY, CA) “Tax season has brought a rash of mail theft to Tehama County, particularly in the countryside. Over the past month, mailboxes have reportedly been damaged or broken into on Highway 99W, Acorn Avenue and Wilcox Road.

Mailbox break-ins typically increase when thieves look to cash in other people’s tax refunds, Sheriff Clay Parker said. As different companies use different methods for returns, some returns can be cashed with little to no identification.

Parker recommended filing taxes online, directly through www.IRS.gov, which can electronically deposit the refund in your bank account instead of mailing it to you. The Web site is secure and poses no risk of identity theft, he said.

Parker suggested checking mail regularly, and said readers should call law enforcement if they see suspicious people or vehicles lingering around mailboxes. Although deputies usually catch a few mail thieves, it can be more effective to take the right precautions, he said.

Sgt. Kevin Busekist, of the Red Bluff Police Department, said mail theft still happens in city limits. Feb. 12, a caller discovered 10 mailboxes had been broken into at the corner of Jefferson Street and Luther Road, according to logs.

But reports of mail theft are usually less frequent in city limits, likely because there are more potential witnesses, Busekist said. Whereas city mailboxes are flanked by windows and passing traffic, country mailboxes are sometimes out of the view of both their owners and neighbors. Busekist advised paying for a Post Office box or using a mailbox with a lock, he said.

COMMENTS: This article makes a few good points. First, mail theft can happen anywhere. Second, a locking mailbox is important for preventing mail identity theft. If you read between the lines, this article also makes a significant third point: not all locking mailboxes are secure. Clearly, the mailboxes that were “broken into” were not truly secure, and did little to prevent mail identity theft. When purchasing a locking mailbox, it is important to verify that the mailbox (1) is made of heavy-gauge steel, (2) cannot be fished by hand, and (3) cannot be easily pried open. There are only a few locking mailboxes that are truly secure, and the Mail Boss is one of them.

Two sentenced on mail theft charges
News Tribune - 2/23/10

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) “A Slater man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to steal mail, bank fraud and identity theft in numerous counties, including Callaway County. [...] Roll and co-defendant Justine Elaine Gregory, 32, both pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to steal mail, bank fraud and identity theft. [...]

The federal investigation began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service learned numerous state and local law enforcement agencies had been receiving mail theft and bank fraud complaints throughout Mid-Missouri. In November and December 2007, Roll and Gregory conspired to steal mail from numerous victims in Saline, Pettis, Boone, Cooper, Howard, Platte, Jackson, Johnson, Montgomery, Callaway and Gasconade counties in Missouri, as well as residences in Iowa, Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois and Oklahoma.

They used stolen checks and credit and debit cards to make purchases, and used stolen identity information to create counterfeit checks. [...]”

COMMENTS: See below.

Mail theft case nets federal prison time
Columbia Daily Tribune- 2/22/10

(COLUMBIA, MO) “A Mid-Missouri man was sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison Friday for his role in a conspiracy that included mail theft, bank fraud and identity theft in several counties, including Boone. [...]

The federal investigation began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service learned that state and local law enforcement agencies had been receiving mail theft and bank fraud complaints throughout Mid-Missouri area.

In 2007, Roll and Gregory conspired to steal mail from victims in 11 counties in Missouri, as well as in five other states. They used stolen checks and credit and debit cards to make purchases and used stolen identity information to create counterfeit checks, the news release said.”

COMMENTS: These kind of stories are a perfect example of why everyone in the United States needs a secure locking mailbox. Mail theft happens everywhere, even in rural areas. Hey you, in Oklahoma! You need a security locking mailbox too! A high quality locked mailbox will protect your sensitive documents from getting into the hands of criminals who would use them fraudulently to commit identity theft. It is a fundamental element of comprehensive identity theft prevention.

On Sunday, the New York Times ran a feature story on Architectural Mailboxes and specifically, the Oasis Locking Mailbox. It praised the company for innovation in providing a solution to a growing problem, and highlighted the Oasis Locking Mailbox as a secure option for homeowners concerned about identity theft.

Specifically, the article stated (emphasis added):

“What was so special about an Oasis? Well, for one thing, thieves couldn’t get their hands past its patented Hopper door — a hinged opening that functions much like those on the Postal Service’s big blue mailboxes.”

As you know if you read our blog, this is blatantly not true. In fact, the Oasis by Architectural Mailboxes is one of the least secure locking mailboxes available. In and of itself, this is not such a huge problem - the majority of mailboxes in America are not secure. The problem is the Oasis is being marketed as a security locking mailbox.

According to the NY Times article, Architectural Mailboxes has already sold 150,000+ Oasis mailboxes, and consumers think they are buying a secure mailbox, when in fact, the mailbox can easily be fished by hand in just seconds:

It can also be pried open with a screwdriver.

Why does this matter? A locking mailbox is a fundamental component of identity theft protection, and not just any locking mailbox, but one that keeps thieves out. Mail thieves don’t just see a locking mailbox and move on to the next box; they see an easily accessed treasure trove that is likely storing more sensitive mail than the unlocked mailbox next to it.

There are 60 million unlocked mailboxes in the United States, and increasingly homeowners are switching to locking mailboxes as they are warned of the dangers of leaving their personal mail unprotected in unlocked mailboxes for any passerby to steal. As such, it is important for consumers to be educated on the locking mailbox product category so they can make a decision that will not leave their mail vulnerable to criminals - that is, if security is an important factor in the consumer choice.

That said, I decided to write Amy Wallace, the New York Times “Prototype” Columnist, an e-mail to let her know she had misinformed her readers. The letter is included below:

Dear Ms. Amy Wallace,

I read your feature story on the Oasis Locking Mailbox with great interest. I think it is wonderful the NY Times is featuring innovative businesses like Architectural Mailboxes that aim to offer a solution – a locking mailbox – to a growing problem – the nationwide epidemic of mail identity theft.

However, as somewhat of an expert on the topic of locking security mailboxes and mail identity theft, I must tell you that you have misinformed your readership.

Most significantly, the article states:

“What was so special about an Oasis? Well, for one thing, thieves couldn’t get their hands past its patented Hopper door — a hinged opening that functions much like those on the Postal Service’s big blue mailboxes. Also, it wasn’t ugly.”

In fact, the lack of security due to the Hopper door (as well as the low-quality locking mechanism) is one of the biggest problems with the Oasis. Just days before you wrote this article I blogged about it here:

http://www.mailboss.net/other-locking-mailboxes-the-oasis/

Here is the video showing a full grown man easily pulling mail out of the Oasis “security” mailbox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow7zFTyj0yI

The problem with the Oasis, in short, is that it is NOT SECURE. The patented hopper door on the Oasis accepts small to medium sized parcels, and also accepts fishing hands. Additionally, the Oasis can be pried open with a screwdriver in just seconds.

The consequences of these security inadequacies are often devastating for uninformed consumers. The Oasis “security” mailbox provides homeowners with a false sense of security, which causes them to leave their mail (just as vulnerable to thieves) much longer than they would otherwise in an unlocked box. With the Oasis, thieves can still easily steal your mail, and they do.

See these news report on homeowners with “locking” mailboxes who were victimized because their boxes were not truly secure:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcwQSjZ-xDE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WmnEEMwu9w

These are just two examples; there are hundreds more. If you would like to see just how much mail theft is going on, even from “locking” mailboxes like the Oasis, look here: www.mailboss.net/category/mail-identity-theft/

Homeowners need to be informed and educated about how to secure their mail and protecting their identity. They should know they need to (1) secure outgoing mail – send checks only from a secure mailbox; (2) destroy mail with a cross-cut paper shredder or otherwise before discarding it; and (3) secure incoming mail: either use a PO Box or use a high security locking mailbox. There are only a affordable high-security options out there, and our company, Epoch Design, makes one of them.

A high quality locking mailbox must (1) be made of heavy gauge steel, (2) include an anti-pry feature so it can’t be popped open with screwdriver, and (3) not allow fishing by hand. The Mail Boss by Epoch Design (as well as the Fort Knox and the Armadillo locking mailboxes) offer real security against mail identity theft.

Interestingly, the Mail Boss came about much in the same way as the Oasis by Architectural Mailboxes did. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Epoch Design had company mail stolen, and the company President David Bolles had personal mail stolen. Police recommended a locking mailbox, but David could only find low-security options like the Oasis and the MailSafe, which could be pried open easily. After months of R & D, finally the Mail Boss was patented.

Now more than ever, homeowners are looking for a real solution to protect their mail and secure their identities. The Mail Boss, hailed “Postbox Maximus” by Popular Mechanics, is just that.

Of course, I do not expect you to do a feature on the Mail Boss simply because I have written you this email. I just want you to know that the Oasis mailbox is not what it claims to be, and I believe homeowners have a right to know that. I fear that those individuals who read your article as a source of information on a product (and not just an expose on an innovative company) have been misled.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, and look forward to hearing from you.

I hope to hear back from Ms. Wallace, but if not, I will be forwarding this e-mail to the Consumerist, in hopes that they think this issue is as important as I do. Please, feel free to e-mail your comments or concerns to the New York Times at proto@nytimes.com.

We do apologize for this “lazy” version of Mail Theft Monday with no fantastically insightful commentary. We will return to your normally scheduled programming next Monday! Without further ado, here is a week in mail identity theft and stolen mail cases:

Newberry County officials looking for suspects in stolen mail case
WACH
“Try to take your mail inside the post office and never use an outside box during holidays when the mail has a potential to sit in the box for a few days. …

20-Year-Old Admits To Drinking, Stealing Truck For Joyride
Hartford Courant
When he learned what the police had found, Bonertz admitted stealing the mail, the laptop case and the truck. He said he had stolen the truck after a night …

Two dozen residents notice rural mail thefts near airport and Oxford
The Durango Herald
by Shane Benjamin About two dozen residents have reported mail being stolen recently from their mailboxes in rural parts of the county. …

Police find $10K in stolen checks; two arrested
Mountain View Voice
by Kelsey Mesher Mountain View police say they recovered more than $10000 in checks and a plethora of other stolen mail while conducting a routine traffic …

Mail Stolen Out of Post Office Mailbox
WLTX.com
Pomaria (WLTX) - Deputies in Newberry County are very concerned about mail stolen from a federal mailbox. It’s a small town, and at one time it bustled with …

Mail stolen from Post Office receptacle in Pomaria
WIS
POMARIA, SC (WIS) - The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after mail was stolen from a postal receptacle at the US Post Office in Pomaria. …

Police log: Mail theft reported near Larch Road
Tracy Press
by TP staff A caller reported at 2:30 pm Tuesday that a man and a woman were stealing mail at Larch Road and Tracy Boulevard. …

Inspectors warn of mail theft
Mercury-Register
OROVILLE — Postal inspectors say there have been about 10 mail thefts in Oroville recently and warn people to report suspicious activity. …

Oh, what a beautiful sight on this sunny Friday afternoon:

Yup, that’s Ace Hardware picking up our Mail Boss locking mailboxes by the TRUCKLOAD!

Ace Hardware *hearts* us!

Must be all that mail identity theft going on around the country, driving huge sales of the Mail Boss in local hardware stores. It sure makes us feel good to know that we’re providing homeowners with a secure product that provides a real solution to a growing problem, and at the same time helping local and often family-owned hardware stores to drive sales and profits.

Can’t ask for much more than that! Oh, and this beautiful sunny weather we’re getting here in Seattle. I’m sorry, really I am, if you’re still in Snow-pocalypse 2010

Oasis Locking Mailbox fails to provide mail security

In Other Locking Mailboxes: Part I, we showcased the Curbside Mailsafe, the Oasis Jr., and the Pinnacle. For a refresher or to watch the video, go here. The quick summary:

The above mentioned “locking” mailboxes, ranging in price from $80 to $200+, do not provide mail security and cannot provide real protection against mail and identity theft. They can be “fished” by hand or opened with very little force by hand or with a screwdriver in just seconds.

In this post, we’re highlighting the Oasis Locking Mailbox. You may be wondering, why are we picking on the Oasis?

The Oasis is one of the most popular locking mailbox models, available at Lowes and Home Depot, as well as many smaller hardware stores, for the bargain price of $100+. While I think it’s great that people are thinking to “secure” their mail, I believe it’s absolutely awful that this product is marketed as a “security” mailbox, when in fact it is not.

Take, for example, this gem I found on YouTube:

This promotional video advertises:

“One of the great features about this mailbox is the hopper door. This is the door that the postal carrier is going to open to drop your mail into the locked cavity down below. When he opens this door, as you can see the back of it closes off which keeps people from reach down in and taking any of your mail, so it is very secure.”

Hmm, that’s strange, because the Oasis is the mailbox we lovingly refer to as the “Pez Dispenser” at tradeshows when we give away cash and prizes… by reaching down into that locked cavity! Remember?

Anyway, I commented on the video to point out that, in fact, the hopper door easily allows you to reach your hand in and take out mail. But lo and behold, the next day my comment was gone. Again, I tried to point out the security inadequacies of the Oasis. And again, my comment was deleted.

I believe consumers have a right to know the truth, and so we made our own little video and put it on YouTube. It’s titled: “Oasis Locking Mailbox can be fished by hand - NOT SECURE!“

This video is our snarky response to the Oasis Locking Mailbox video, which touts the “secure barrier” that prevents fishing. It clearly shows that the barrier is ineffective in stopping mail theft, as mail can be fished by hand quite easily.

A true secure mailbox prevents fishing and prying by leveraged entry. The Oasis cannot prevent fishing or prying, and is a poor solution to preventing mail identity theft.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

To be continued…

Happy Birthday to George Washington and company! To celebrate, we’ve got over a dozen mail identity theft stories to share just from the past week.

Hey… I know what would be a great birthday present for Abraham Lincoln smart investment - a high security locking mailbox to secure your mail and protect your identity!

Just sayin…

Anyway, here we go!

LC Police: Thief targeted residents’ mailboxes
KVIA - 2/14/10

(LAS CRUCES, NM) “Las Cruces Police say mail boxes became prime targets for a thief who managed to steal thousands of dollars from people in one neighborhood. People [...] say theft is just not something you expect in a quiet neighborhood. But this is a quiet kind of crime.  [...]

Raised red mailbox flags are a signal for mail carriers, but an easy target for potential thieves. “Victims received info from their banks or credit card companies indicating there could be some illegal activity.  The victims came to us,” says spokesman Dan Trujillo of the Las Cruces Police Department.

There have been more than a half-dozen victims so far.  Police arrested 28-year-old Richard Crenshaw, who’s now charged with fraud and forgery. “I don’t know what to say.  My mailbox is right there; he could have stolen from me,” says another Las Cruces resident.

In this particular scheme, Crenshaw allegedly would walk up to a mailbox that had a raised red flag, take whatever mail was inside, and then simply walk away. [...] After the mail was stolen, police say Crenshaw would use altered checks to purchase big-ticket items like TVs and computers. [...] According to police, Crenshaw would then go to a Walmart, across town, bring those same items back with a receipt, and get cash.  [...]

Another resident says, “I probably won’t leave it in my mailbox anymore.  I won’t leave anything out front.”"

COMMENTS: To the Las Cruces resident - good thinking! Don’t leave outgoing mail in your mailbox for any passerby to steal. By that same token, use a secure locking mailbox for your incoming mail. If you don’t protect your mail with a high security locking mailbox like the Mail Boss, you could be a victim of identity theft, which is a much bigger hassle to reconcile then just check fraud.

Washington County sheriff’s deputies discover meth lab in Cedar Hills home
The Oregonian - 2/14/10

(CEDAR HILLS, OR) “Washington County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a basement meth lab at a Cedar Hills home Friday while serving a search warrant for fraud and identity theft. Two parents were arrested and two children were taken into protective custody. Stolen property was also recovered from the house.

Law enforcement officials showed up to search the home [...] and discovered the lab and stolen property. [...] Investigators immediately removed two girls, ages two and three, who were found in the house. The girls were taken to the hospital as standard procedure to check for methamphetamine exposure. The children’s mother, 29-year-old, Bahar Dixon and 36-year-old, Chad Luton were arrested and each charged with first degree child neglect and more charges are likely. Investigators also found two stolen vehicles in the garage along with stolen laptop computers and hundreds of pieces of stolen mail. Investigators believe the stolen checks were being altered and cashed.”

COMMENTS: Weird. They found stolen mail at the meth lab? There’s a connection between methamphetamine and mail-identity theft? No way! Never heard of that before. No, really. Never, ever. Seriously, though, here is a great article about the methamphetamine connection to identity theft. Enjoy!

Sacramento thief almost gets away with stolen mail
NEWS 10 KXTV - 2/13/10

(SACRAMENTO, CA) “A man was arrested while trying to get away with stolen mail from a business mailbox early Saturday morning, according to officials. Sacramento police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said Thomas Melger was reportedly walking away from a business near 7500 Folsom Boulevard around 3:40 a.m. When officers in the area stopped to speak with him, Melger tried to run, dropping stolen mail from his waistband [...].

Officers were able to catch and detain him without incident. Leong said it appears Melger used a screwdriver to pry open a mailbox at a business about 100 yards away, stealing all the mail in sight. Melger also had an arrest warrant for vandalism and illegal trespassing.”

COMMENTS: This story illustrates the importance of getting a high-quality locking mailbox. If you’re going to get a cheapo rinky dink “locking” mailbox with a popcorn lock on it, don’t bother. Some examples of locking mailboxes that aren’t worth their weight in junkmail:

• Any security mailbox by Architectural Mailboxes, including the most popular model: the Oasis. (See our video on the Oasis here).
• Any security mailbox by Solar Group (a subsidiary of Gibraltar), including the most popular models: the MailSafe and the Parkview. (See our video on these Solar Group mailboxes here).
• Any security mailbox by Mail Systems NW, including the most popular model: the Belaire. (See our video on the Belaire here).

Anyway, you get the idea. There are a lot of crappy locking mailboxes out there. If you’re going to buy one, you should invest in one that:

1. Is made of high quality and heavy gauge materials, either stainless or galvanized steel. If it weighs less than 30 lbs, its not going to do the trick!
2. Includes an anti-pry feature that prevents prying with leveraged entry. Can you pop it open with a screwdriver? If so, it’s a no!
3. Cannot be fished by hand. You know where the mailman drops your mail? If you can reach your hand down there and pull out the mail - and you would be shocked how many models can be fished - then it is useless.

There are some options other than the Mail Boss that offer real mail security, including the Fort Knox and the Armadillo. But, they are considerably more expensive.

Use of stolen driver’s license at casino leads to arrest of 2
The Desert Sun - 2/13/10

(COACHELLA, CA) “Two people were in custody Friday for allegedly using a stolen driver’s license in an attempt to obtain a player card at a Coachella casino, a Riverside County sheriff’s sergeant said. [The suspects] were taken into custody about 12:15 p.m. Thursday at the Spotlight 29 Casino [...] said Sgt. John Crounse of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators found several casino player cards, mail and credit cards, which were all in other people’s names, in the suspects’ vehicle, along with methamphetamine and hypodermic needles, Crounse said. [...]”

COMMENTS: Meth and mail theft, again. See above.

Letter: More on mail theft
Friday Flyer - 2/12/10

(CANYON LAKE, CA) “I would like to alert my neighbors that there has been theft from the cluster mailboxes in Canyon Lake. The mail is being taken from the outgoing slots in the cluster boxes. Most recently is theft from the cluster box located at Yosemite and San Joaquin. The thieves take your payment checks and use the bank and routing numbers on a new check and use them locally. Deputy Kiebach of the Canyon Lake Police Department is aware of this problem and recommends that homeowners do not use the outgoing mail slots but to take your mail directly to the Post Office. If you think your mail has been stolen, please contact Deputy Kiebach at 244-2955 and report it.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith who took the time to locate my phone number off a statement they found in the bushes near their home. Their actions and kindness saved me a great deal of panic and time-consuming phone calls to the bank and possibly helped the police department in apprehending the thieves.”

COMMENTS: No one should send sensitive outgoing mail from unsecured mailboxes. Unfortunately, “non secure” includes cluster boxes, which, generally speaking, can be easily be pried open with a household screwdriver. When possible, make payments electronically. If you must send a check, take it directly to the Post Office. But don’t forget to secure your incoming mail with a locking security mailbox!

Man Sentenced in ID Theft
Denver Daily - 2/11/10

(DENVER, CO) “Richard Creighton was sentenced Jan. 28 by a judge to serve more than 13 years in prison for crimes related to identity theft, mail theft, and forged counterfeit checks, the United States Attorney’s office announced yesterday.

According to court records and information from the trial, Creighton stole mail looking for checks, credit cards, and other financial instruments. He allegedly targeted large apartment complexes where there were numerous general mailboxes.”

COMMENTS: On cluster boxes, see above. And on another note, it is unusual for such a large sentence to be handed down to mail identity thieves. Generally, they don’t see jail time and walk away with probation and a slap on the wrist.

Man Charged, Held On Mail Theft Charge
WAPT - 2/10/10

(GULFPORT, MS) “U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Roper has denied bond for former Gulf coast resident James Clifford Plummer Jr., who is accused of being in possession of stolen mail containing checks totaling $23,000. An indictment alleges that Plummer, 46, was in possession of the stolen mail in Harrison County in July or August 2007.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office told The Sun Herald that Plummer lived on the coast at the time. Federal marshals arrested Plummer in Hattiesburg on Jan. 23.”

COMMENTS: Denied bail? Again, surprising! Maybe officials are cracking down on mail theft since it has become a problem of such epidemic proportions nationwide.

Identity fraud on the rise — up 12% to 11.1 million adults affected in 2009
Los Angeles Times - 2/10/10

(LOS ANGELES, CA) “The number of identity fraud victims soared 12% last year [...].The economic downturn may have sparked the increase, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, which concluded that victims lost $54 billion, a 12.5% swell. The number of consumers hit by fraud jumped for the second year in a row, to 11.1 million adults, the highest level since the survey was launched in 2003.

The defrauders, many working out of Eastern European crime rings, are using ever more sophisticated methods. But criminals are still targeting wallets, checkbooks, credit cards and other physical identification carriers twice as often as they use computer viruses, phishing scams or other digital tricks.

[...] Nearly half of new victims now file police reports, doubling the number of reported arrests, tripling the prosecutions and doubling the percentage of convictions. Still, most fraud continues to go undiscovered, according to the report, co-sponsored by Fiserv, Intersections Inc., Wells Fargo and Identity Theft Assistance Center. The survey was conducted through telephone calls to more than 5,000 U.S. consumers in November, including 703 fraud victims.

Of those, some demographics are more vulnerable. Small-business owners, for example, often use personal accounts to run their companies and are constantly making transactions, making them one-and-a-half times more likely than other adults to experience fraud. [...]”

COMMENTS: We covered this a year ago on our blog here: http://www.mailboss.net/identity-theft-up-22-in-2008/

Washougal man’s stolen credit cards end up in Oregon
KATU - 2/10/10

(PORTLAND, OR) “Clackamas County police are searching for a man and woman who have been illegally purchasing items and services with a credit card from a Washington man. The victim of this crime, Joel Jensen, resides in Washougal, Wash., and is the victim of a mail theft that occurred at his residence in Washougal. As a result, Jensen has since received a number of unauthorized transactions conducted on his stolen MasterCard - unauthorized transactions conducted in Oregon’s Clackamas County.

[...] The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information concerning this crime to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office’s confidential Tip Line - by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the on line e-mail form. [...]”

COMMENTS: You may be surprised how often it is vigilant homeowners who help authorities solve cases like these. Even though most cases still go unsolved, in many instances, the help of good citizens is just what is needed to crack a case that otherwise wouldn’t receive much attention. So keep an eye out for this wily couple who are ruining a Washingtonian’s good name with identity fraud and thievery!

Judge denies bond to man accused of possessing stolen mail
WREG - 2/10/10

(GULFPORT, MS) “U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Roper has denied bond for a former Gulf coast resident, James Clifford Plummer Jr., accused of possession of stolen mail containing checks totaling $23,000. An indictment alleges the 46-year-old Plummer was in possession of the stolen mail in Harrison County in July or August 2007.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office tells The Sun Herald that Plummer lived on the coast at the time. Federal marshals arrested Plummer in Hattiesburg on Jan. 23.”

COMMENTS: Sounds like Mr. Plummer is staying in jail… for now!

Clackamas detectives seeking suspects in stolen credit card case
The Oregonian - 2/9/10

(CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OR) “Clackamas County sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding a man and a woman suspected of using a credit card stolen from a Washougal, Wash., man. Detective Jim Strovink, Clackamas County sheriff’s spokesman, said a MasterCard was stolen from the mail of Joel Jensen of Washougal in December. Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 13, the card was used at Talbert Car Wash in Clackamas; a Union 76 station in Clackamas; and the Fred Meyer store on Southeast 82nd Ave., Portland.

Strovink said surveillance cameras have provided clear images of the suspects. The man is described as 25- to 30-years-old, about 5-foot-10, with a medium build and black medium-length hair. He was seen wearing a dark-colored zip-up sweatshirt and blue jeans. The woman is described as 20- to 25-years-old, about 5-foot-8, with a medium build and long blonde hair. She was seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with fleece inside and blue jeans.

Strovink urged anyone with information on the suspects or the mail theft to call the sheriff’s confidential tip line at 503-723-4949. Confidential text messages can be sent to CRIMES (274637 on a cell phone keypad), with the keyword “CCSO” as the first word in the message.”

COMMENTS: I hope these two are caught, and that the victim is heading straight to his local hardware store to procure a security locking mailbox. Ahem: The Mail Boss!

Dear Diary, I Just Committed Another Crime
First Coast News - 2/9/10

(SEATTLE, WA) “If you’re going to be bold enough to keep a diary of your crimes, you might not want to have that diary around when you get arrested. It was an early morning chase after a female car thief through the streets of north Seattle on December 13. The suspect finally crashed the stolen car into a stop sign at NE 125th and 26th NE.

Inside her car, police found a laundry list of property belonging to her victims: stolen mail, laptops, backpacks, gloves, flashlights and other burglar tools. Seattle Police also found a personal journal belonging to the alleged thief. According to court documents, she wrote “…I’m driving a stolen blk on blk Benz from Everett to Seattle…” One entry talked about a “…theft of a purse with credit cards…,” taking “$1200″ out of an account, as well as a “…$300 purchase at Walmart…,” using a stolen credit card.

The suspect, 28-year-old Tiffany Mcdonough of Seattle, now faces charges of burglary, car prowl, possession of a stolen vehicle, and eluding police. [...] Police say Mcdonough admitted she was high on Oxycontin when she was arrested. Hearing that, at least two of her victims expressed a certain amount of sympathy for her, and hope she gets the help she needs.”

COMMENTS: Oxycontin, eh? We hear that’s expensive stuff. No wonder she has to live on everyone else’s hard earned money and goods. We too, hope she gets the help she needs, but don’t think jail time would do any harm. Just sayin…

Man sentenced for mail theft
KTIV - 2/9/10

(RAPID CITY, SD) “A man from Lemmon was sentenced to two months of home confinement, three months of probation and $866 in restitution for his guilty plea to stealing mail. [...]”

COMMENTS: That’s more like it. Home confinement and probation. Typical.

Mail theft increasing in Central Oregon
KNXS - 2/9/10

(LA PINE, OR) “It appears that mail theft is on the increase in Central Oregon. The U.S. Postal Service said there have been more than 70 cases of mail theft reported in south Deschutes and north Klamath counties over the last two months. At this point, several suspects have been identified and federal charges are expected in the coming days. And right now, there are only six cases of identity theft relating to stolen mail.

Investigators recently recovered a large amount of stolen mail at a vacant La Pine home. If you believe you have been the victim of mail theft, you are asked to call the postal investigator at 503-279-2072. [...]”

COMMENTS: We’ve been following the epidemic of mail identity theft in La Pine, Oregon for many weeks now. For a recap, see our Mail Identity Theft stories.

Woman faces charges in string of La Pine mail thefts
KTVZ - 2/7/10

(LA PINE, OR) “Federal agents said Tuesday they have two suspects in a 2-month string of mail thefts in the La Pine area that they call one of the biggest such cases they’ve seen, in terms of the number of victims. Dennis Fernald of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Portland says 70 to 100 La Pine-area residents have been the victims of mail theft over the past two months. [...]

He said the number of victims is among the largest they have seen in a single case, though the amounts of money or other items lost to the thieves has been relatively small. Mail for nearly 20 addresses in La Pine was found late last month in a shed at a vacant home in La Pine and has been returned to the U.S. Postal Service for redistribution, authorities said Monday.

Sheriff’s deputies responded on the morning of Jan. 29 to a report of found property at a vacant home near Sixth Street, said Sgt. Tim Leak. [...] The mail later was organized into 19 different addresses on Park, Sparks and Twin drives, Snowberry Lane and Montana Place, and bore postmarks from early January, the sergeant said. The mail was returned to the U.S. Postal Service for redistribution and notification of victims.

A La Pine woman, Tiffany Hughes, was cited in lieu of custody on a mail theft charge Saturday night, but Leak said it was unrelated to the other case and apparently coincidental timing. Weekend sheriff’s logs had listed more than a dozen of the earlier mail theft addresses, but the sergeant said that was simply an officer assigning case numbers to the various thefts from a month ago, not a new string of thefts.

Authorities often advise mail theft victims and other rural residents to look into the possibility of locked mailboxes, to remove the threat of stolen mail and identity theft that can result. At the least, they say, residents should learn when their mail is usually delivered, and try to make sure it’s picked up as soon as possible. [...]”

COMMENTS: Authorities are advising that now? Well, it’s been a long time in coming. I don’t think you will see the USPS recommend locking mailboxes, simply because they do not want to perpetuate the notion that the US Mail cannot be trusted. There is a slight conflict of interest there. However, using a quality locking mailbox is the most obvious and best solution to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of mail identity theft.

La Pine Mail Theft
1110 KBND - 2/8/10

(LA PINE, OR) “A La Pine woman faces mail theft charges related to incidents that occurred in La Pine. Sheriff’s Deputies on Saturday night took 13 reports of mail theft or tampering. The Sheriff’s Office log shows they cited Tiffany Brooke Hughes, 29 for the offenses. Deputies say these cases are related to a similar incident reported January 29th when mail to various addresses was found in a shed on 6th Street.”

Police log: February 7, 2010
The Redding Record - 1/7/10

(REDDING, CA) [...] “A cluster mailbox was pried open and mail, including paychecks, was missing in the 16000 block of Emmett Lane in Happy Valley. [...]

An identify theft was reported by a caller in the 24000 block of Oak Way in Bella Vista.

The Hat Creek Post Office reported a possible mail theft from a post office box. [...]

A front yard, mailbox and driveway were vandalized in the 6900 block of Weeks Lane in Churn Creek Bottom. [...]

An identity theft was reported from an unlisted address. [...]

A mailbox was vandalized in the 3000 block of Ponder Way in Cottonwood. [...]

A lock was damaged at a cluster of mailboxes on Crag View Drive in Castella.”

3 St. Joseph residents arrested in forgery
The News-Press and St. Joe Now - 1/6/10

(ST. JOSEPH, MO) “Three St. Joseph residents were arrested on charges of forgery, drug paraphernalia and receiving stolen property following a bad-check incident at a local truck stop, police said. Melinda Sue Talbot, 36; Sarina Lynn Simerly, 20; and Marcus D. Moore, 52, were arrested when Ms. Talbot tried to pass a supposed counterfeit check at Weidmaier’s Truck Stop, 4315 S. U.S. 169 Highway, on Wednesday.When questioned by the clerk, she fled the scene in a vehicle with the other two suspects.

About an hour later, a vehicle matching that description was pulled over, and the three were arrested. Detectives said the case may be linked with other counterfeit-check cases recently reported at banks and businesses spanning from the Kansas City area into South Dakota, including some local mail-theft cases. St. Joseph police are working with U.S. postal inspectors on the case.

The suspects have been charged locally, and postal authorities are reviewing the case for any federal charges.”

Keen detective delivers mail-theft suspects
Victorville Daily Press - 1/5/10

(APPLE VALLEY, CA) “One would-be mail thief reached into the wrong box Thursday morning. As he was taking mail from the box a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detective getting ready for work peered outside and spotted him. The detective followed the man and deputies later stopped him and found other pieces of mail that did not appear to belong to him inside the car. They arrested the man and a woman in the car and took them to the Apple Valley sheriff’s station, Sgt. Todd Newton of sheriff’s officials said.

“Their story really didn’t add up,” Newton said. Deputies executed a search warrant at about 11 a.m. Thursday at a home in the 12000 block of Pocono Road, where five detectives and two deputies found more mail and radio station equipment, Newton said. To read the full story, see Saturday’s Daily Press. [...] Anyone who suspects they have mail missing may call the sheriff’s department at 245-4211.”

Police catch alleged mail thieves
PhillyBurbs.com - 1/4/10

(WARWICK, PA) “A vigilant resident and a fast police response led to the arrest of two people accused of stealing personal checks and other outgoing mail from 21 mailboxes in Warwick and Warrington, police said Wednesday. Daniel J. Rocco, 22, and Angelene M. Brejcha, 19 of Warminster told police they took mail from residential mailboxes with outgoing flags raised in the hope of finding birthday cards stocked with money, said records. The pair planned to use the cash to support their drug habits, a criminal complaint said.

“They denied it at first, but later they admitted it was them,” said Warwick Police Chief Joseph C. Costello. The accused pair was arrested on Jan. 21 after a resident spotted their Toyota Camry trolling through his Brook Lane neighborhood shortly before 1 a.m., Costello said. The resident followed the car and then called 911 to relay the vehicle’s registration plate number, said police.

A Warwick officer rushed to the scene and stopped the Camry, which contained Rocco, Brejcha and a third person who, police determined, was not part of the criminal activity. Ultimately, police recovered 47 personal checks from Rocco and Brejcha that were stolen from 21 different residences, said records. Most of the victims live in Warwick, though there was at least one Warrington resident, said Costello.

The affected people were told about the thefts, but it’s possible there were more victims, said police. “We’re not sure of the full scope of this,” said the chief. “They claimed to have burned some mail earlier.”

The same resident whose sharp eyes led to the accused pair’s arrest spotted what police believe was the same Toyota Camry rolling through the Brook Lane neighborhood Jan. 19. That night, the vehicle left before the man, who’d been outside for a cigarette, could ascertain the car’s registration plate, said police. Warwick police said outgoing mail was reported stolen from six residences Jan. 19.

“These overnight crimes occur quickly. This type of immediate reporting is what we need from the community,” said Costello. “It gets us into the area faster and we can start immediately searching the neighborhood… Just call us and we’ll come check out what’s happening.”

Before identifying suspects, police believed the thieves might have been filching mail to obtain personal information that could be used to steal a person’s identity. No evidence suggests that Rocco or Brejcha had attempted to open fraudulent lines of credit or sell the victims’ personal information so that it could be used illegally. Still, the pair was charged with identity theft because it’s illegal to possess a person’s checks and related information without the owner’s consent, said Costello.

Other charges against Rocco and Brejcha include theft, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy. They were released on $15,000 unsecured bail following an arraignment by District Judge Jean Seaman, police said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12.”

Mail theft suspect sentenced to prison
Mohave Daily News - 1/4/10

(KINGMAN, AZ) “The seventh of eight suspects in a series of mailbox thefts in the Bullhead City area in the spring of 2009 was sentenced to prison Thursday. Dennis Michael Jackman, 49, of Bullhead City, had been charged with fraudulent schemes and artifices, five counts of conspiracy to commit theft and criminal damage. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft with the remaining charges being dropped.

Under the plea agreement, Superior Court Judge Rick Williams sentenced Jackman to two years and nine months in prison. The defendant must also pay more than $32,500 in restitution to the U.S. Post Office, Bank of America and U.S. Bank. [...] The thefts occurred between April and June 2009. [...]

Welch, Bowersox and Marcum were arrested June 11 in Bullhead City. Police searched a home and allegedly found stolen mail and homemade counterfeit keys used to break into cluster mailboxes in 10 neighborhoods throughout the Bullhead City area. Wheeler, Breitkopf and Currier were arrested in Kingman the same day after allegedly trying to cash stolen checks in Kingman. Jackman was arrested the next day in Bullhead City in connection with the alleged mail thefts. Wolf turned herself in July 24. She was originally arrested June 5 for allegedly trying to pass a stolen check at a Needles bank.”

Zillah area residents warned of possible mail theft
Yakima Herald-Republic - 1/3/10

(ZILLAH, WA) “Authorities are asking Zillah residents to keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles near their mailboxes. Numerous mail boxes were found open this morning between the Yakima Valley Highway north to the county landfill,  Sgt. Bill Splawn of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release.

Mail had not yet been delivered to the area and the Zilllah Post Office was notified of the possible attempted mail theft. Residents are asked to report strange vehicles pulling up to mail boxes or driving slowly in the area. Call the Sheriff’s Office at 509-574-2500 for more information.”

Fraud detectives arrest 2 Reno suspects in mail theft cases
The Reno-Gazette Journal - 1/3/10

(RENO, NV) ” Two Reno suspects were arrested Wednesday in connection with mail thefts and fraud cases in the area in the past nine months, detectives of the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program said. Philip Stott, 50, and Angela Schmelzle, 34, booked into jail after a three-week investigation and their 3 p.m. arrests in southwest Reno after officers saw them allegedly steal mail, Sgt. Jeff Freelove said. Both were charged on suspicion of identity theft and possession of a financial laboratory.

Stott also was charged on suspicion of commercial burglary, forgery, uttering a forged instrument and possession of a forged instrument and Schmelzle with identity theft, possession of stolen credit cards and theft. The Northern Nevada Fraud and Identity Task Force includes investigators from the U.S. Secret Service, postal inspectors, Sparks and Reno police and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives can be reached at 334-2115 or call Secret Witness at 322-4900.”

Louisville man charged with stealing mail and trying to cash fraudulent checks
WHAS 11 - 2/1/10

(LOUISVILLE, KY) “A Louisville man is charged with stealing dozens of pieces of mail and trying to cash fraudulent checks. Police said 29-year-old Bryon Hodges tried to cash a check that he had altered, at the BB&T Bank on U.S. 42, near Brownsboro Road and the Watterson Expressway.

Officers arrested him and searched his vehicle, finding three more stolen and forged checks, and thirty pieces of stolen mail. Hodges has been charged with 30 counts of possession of stolen mail and four counts of forging checks.”

Stolen Mail Leads to Serious Car Crash
KSAZ Fox 10 - 2/1/10

Watch video here.

(PARADISE VALLEY, AZ) “Two children are reportedly among those hurt in a serious two-vehicle crash in Paradise Valley Monday night. It happened about 5:25 p.m. near Tatum and Lincoln. Phoenix Fire says that two adults and two children were taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Paradise Vallley Police Commander Alan Laitsch says that it started when police received a tip that someone was stealing mail in a nearby neighborhood. An officer made a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle - inside was a woman and two children.

As the officer took her information and returned to his patrol car, she apparently took off eastbound on Lincoln. That’s when she collided with another vehicle that a man was driving. Lincoln was shut down at 52nd Place in both directions after the crash. The roadway reopened about 7:30 p.m. All four remain hospitalized.”

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