Protect Your Identity: What to Do if Your Mail, Checks, or Credit Cards are Stolen

Your mailbox is a vital part of your daily life. It's how you receive important documents, bills, and other essential mail. But what happens if your mail is stolen? Unfortunately, mail theft is a common crime that can have serious consequences. In 2020, the United States Postal Service (USPS) reported over 900,000 mail thefts.

Consequences of Mail Theft

Mail theft can lead to a number of problems, including:

• Identity theft: Thieves can use your personal information to open new accounts, make fraudulent purchases, or even file taxes in your name.
• Financial loss: Thieves can steal checks, credit cards, or other financial documents that can be used to make unauthorized purchases or withdrawals.
• Emotional distress: Mail theft can be a frightening and frustrating experience. It can also make you feel vulnerable and exposed.

What to Do if Your Mail is Stolen

If you believe your mail has been stolen, it's important to take action immediately. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Contact the USPS: Report the theft to the USPS at 800-275-8777. You will need to provide your name, address, and a description of the stolen mail.
2. File a police report: File a police report with your local police department. This will document the theft and help you with any insurance claims.
3. Contact your creditors: Contact any creditors whose checks or credit cards you believe were stolen. Request that they freeze your accounts and issue you new ones.
4. Monitor your credit reports: Thieves may attempt to open new accounts in your name. Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
5. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports: Contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request a fraud alert be placed on your credit reports. This will make it more difficult for thieves to open new accounts in your name.
6. Consider identity theft protection: Identity theft protection services can help you monitor your credit reports, detect suspicious activity, and provide support in the event of identity theft.

How to Prevent Mail Theft

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent mail theft, including:

• Use a locked mailbox: If possible, use a locked mailbox that requires a key to open.
• Pick up your mail promptly: Don't leave your mail in your mailbox for long periods of time.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Be aware of any suspicious activity around your mailbox.
• Report suspicious activity: If you see any suspicious activity, report it to the USPS or your local police department.

Additional Tips for Protecting Your Identity

In addition to the steps listed above, there are a number of other things you can do to protect your identity, including:

• Shred sensitive documents: Shred any documents that contain your personal information, such as bank statements, credit card bills, and tax returns.
• Use strong passwords: Use strong passwords for all of your online accounts.
• Be careful about what you share online: Be careful about what personal information you share online, such as your Social Security number or birth date.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly: Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.

Stories and What We Can Learn

Story 1:

In 2019, a woman in Florida had her mail stolen from her mailbox. The thieves used her personal information to open new credit cards and make fraudulent purchases. The woman was not aware of the theft until she received a notice from her credit card company about suspicious activity on her account.

Lesson: It's important to be aware of the signs of mail theft and to take action immediately if you believe your mail has been stolen.

Story 2:

In 2020, a man in California had his identity stolen after his wallet was stolen from his car. The thieves used his personal information to open new accounts and make fraudulent purchases. The man did not realize his identity had been stolen until he started receiving bills for accounts he did not open.

Lesson: It's important to protect your personal information and to be aware of the signs of identity theft.

Story 3:

In 2021, a woman in Texas had her credit card stolen from her purse. The thieves used her credit card to make unauthorized purchases online. The woman was not aware of the theft until she received a call from her credit card company about suspicious activity on her account.

Lesson: It's important to monitor your credit card statements regularly for any suspicious activity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a number of common mistakes that people make when it comes to preventing mail theft and identity theft, including:

• Leaving mail in your mailbox for long periods of time: Don't leave your mail in your mailbox for long periods of time, especially if you live in an area with a high crime rate.
• Not shredding sensitive documents: Shred any documents that contain your personal information, such as bank statements, credit card bills, and tax returns.
• Using weak passwords: Use strong passwords for all of your online accounts. Avoid using passwords that are easy to guess, such as your name or birth date.
• Being careless about what you share online: Be careful about what personal information you share online, such as your Social Security number or birth date.
• Not monitoring your credit reports regularly: Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.

How to Step-by-Step Approach

If you believe your mail, checks, or credit cards have been stolen, follow these steps:

1. Contact the USPS: Report the theft to the USPS at 800-275-8777.
2. File a police report: File a police report with your local police department.
3. Contact your creditors: Contact any creditors whose checks or credit cards you believe were stolen.
4. Monitor your credit reports: Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
5. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports: Contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request a fraud alert be placed on your credit reports.
6. Consider identity theft protection: Identity theft protection services can help you monitor your credit reports, detect suspicious activity, and provide support in the event of identity theft.

Call to Action

Mail theft and identity theft are serious crimes that can have a devastating impact on your life. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can help protect yourself from these crimes.

Remember, it's important to be aware of the signs of mail theft and identity theft, and to take action immediately if you believe you have been a victim.