What to do if mail is stolen
If you suspect that your mail has been stolen, here are some steps you can take:
- Report the incident to the USPS: Contact your local post office or visit the USPS website to report the theft. You can also file a complaint with the USPS Office of the Inspector General.
- Contact your bank and credit card companies: Inform your bank and credit card companies about the stolen mail. They may be able to cancel or replace any stolen checks or credit cards.
- Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements to detect any suspicious activity.
- Contact the sender: Reach out to the sender of the stolen mail to inform them of the theft and ask them to resend the package or document.
- File a police report: If the stolen mail contains valuable items or sensitive information, consider filing a police report. This can help you recover the stolen items and may also help you get a replacement ID or other documents.
- Consider a mail forwarding service: If you're concerned about mail theft in your area, consider using a mail forwarding service that can forward your mail to a secure location.
- Take steps to prevent future theft: Consider taking steps to prevent future mail theft, such as:
- Using a locked mailbox or a secure mailbox with a combination lock.
- Not leaving outgoing mail in your mailbox for extended periods.
- Using a mail holder or a secure mail box with a lock.
- Not leaving packages or sensitive documents in plain sight.
- Considering a mail delivery hold or a secure delivery service.
Additional tips:
- If you're a victim of identity theft, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the incident and get help recovering your identity.
- If you're a victim of credit card fraud, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your credit card company to report the incident and get help recovering your credit.
- Consider investing in identity theft protection services to help monitor your credit and detect any suspicious activity.
Remember to stay vigilant and take steps to protect your mail and personal information to minimize the risk of theft and identity fraud.