Prevent Mail Theft

It’s no secret that mail theft is on the rise. In just this year alone (last 6 months), more than 25,000 reports were made for mail theft incidents, including blue collection boxes. Compare that to 38,500 reports in all of 2022.

The US Postal Service, and the Postal Inspection Services are aware of the increase in reports and are working to expand their Project Safe Delivery crime prevention initiative. These actions include installing 12,000 high-security blue collection boxes, replacing 49,000 antique arrow locks with electronic locks, strengthening authentication processes for Change of Addresses, and more.

While thieves are unpredictable, here are a few tips you can implement in your every day to help protect yourself against mail and package theft:

• Promptly pick up your mail/packages
• Inquire about overdue mail with the sender
• Don’t send cash and instead consider sending money to friends and family with Zelle
• Use hold for pickup to collect your package at your local Post Office
• Request signature confirmation for the intended recipient
• File Change of Address immediately with the Postal Service, as well as with the credit union
• Enroll in Direct Deposit and get your funds deposited directly to your account
• Sign up for eStatements and avoid the risk of your personal financial information being sent via mail

If you have been a victim of mail theft, you are encouraged to report stolen mail as soon as possible by submitting an online complaint to the Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455.