Mail Theft in Salt Lake City, Utah – July 18th, 2018
Protect Yourself from Mail Theft –
This week in Salt Lake City, Utah: a woman was caught red handed stealing a resident’s mail. Salt Lake City Police are asking people to “take extra steps to protect themselves”.
According to the FBI, 16+ million Americans were the victims of identity theft in 2017. That means that an identity is stolen approximately every 2 seconds! With such prevalence and the fast growth of identity theft, the importance of keeping one’s personal information secure and identity safe is more apparent than ever before.
Here are some recommendations to help protect you from would be identity thieves:
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Stop the crime at the source:
- Purchase and install a robust locking mail box, such as a Mail Boss curbside or wall-mount box.
- Retrieve your mail promptly after scheduled deliveries.
- Carry your cards and information in an RFID-blocking wallet or purse.
- Use different passwords for your online accounts, especially email.
- Enable two-step authorizations on available online accounts, especially email.
- Never give your passwords to anybody.
- Don’t fall victim to phone call and email scams. Disregard anything that seems suspicious and inquire directly with the association or business that is claimed.
- Never send sensitive outgoing mail in your mail box. Outgoing mail is never secure unless shipped directly from a post-office.
- Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors you can watch each other’s mailboxes (as well as homes).
- Tell your Post Office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.
- Opt out of credit card offers and junk mail.
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Act promptly, quickly and thoroughly in securing your identity:
- If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
- If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you conduct business via the mail.
- Report all suspected mail theft to a Postal Inspector.
- Put a fraud alert on your account. All you have to do is contact (by phone or online) one of the three major credit bureaus and request a fraud alert. No need to contact all three, as they are required to communicate fraud alerts with each other. Remember to renew the fraud alert every 90 days. Fraud Alert Contact Information:
As always, check in with us if you have any questions about any of our locking security products, and browse through our blog for more interesting content!
