WASHINGTON — The rise of identity theft has criminals targeting mail. And there’s no better way to get to that mail – and the information it contains – than directly at the U.S. Post Office.
Postal officials said groups of criminals across the country are using the internet and social media to coordinate strategic targeting of Post Office collection boxes.
There are certain days and times when U.S. Postal Service collection boxes are more likely to be targeted by thieves, postal officials warned recently.
“The biggest variable enticing these criminals to steal are customers depositing mail into blue collection boxes after the last collection of the day or during Sundays and federal holidays.”
Postal officials suggest that the most secure way to send mail is through the local post office retail counter. If that is not feasible, the next safest way is to use the inside collection slots that deposit mail directly into the post office.
If using the Postal Service’s outside collection bins, never deposit mail after the last dispatch time. Each box has dispatch times printed on a label, and it will point customers to the location for the latest pickup time in their area.
Mail deposited in one of the blue boxes after hours or on weekends or holidays entices mail thieves engaging in identity theft and check-washing schemes.
If customers simply used retail service or inside wall drop slots to send their U.S. mail, instead of depositing it to sit outside overnight or through the weekend, blue collection boxes would not be as enticing to mail thieves for identity theft and check-washing schemes,” USPS said in a news release.
The USPS advises: If you’re using the Postal Service’s outside blue collection boxes, never deposit mail after the last dispatch time. Each box has dispatch times printed on a label which will point you to the location for the latest pickup time in your area. Avoid depositing mail during the night, Sundays, and federal holidays.
If you see someone going into a collection box or mail delivery receptacle during non-postal work hours, contact local police and notify postal inspectors at (877) 876-2455.