Protect Yourself from Mail Theft This Holiday Season
Mail theft tends to increase over the holidays when thieves are hoping to get their hands on checks, gift cards, and packages. Here are some tips to reduce the chance of having your mail stolen:
- Send outgoing mail from inside the post office. Don’t place mail in freestanding mailboxes outside.
- Pick up your mail as soon as possible after delivery. Avoid leaving it in your mailbox overnight.
- Traveling? Ask the post office to place a hold on your mail until you return.
- If you’re expecting packages, ask a trusted neighbor to watch for deliveries and pick up your items. You can also have deliveries shipped to a local retailer or a FedEx or UPS facility for pickup.
MAIL THEFT CAN LEAD TO FRAUD.
Stolen mail can provide criminals with the personal information they need to perpetrate identity theft and other types of fraud. Mail can be stolen from your mailbox or redirected to another address without your knowledge.
These tips are a good start to preventing the theft of personal information year-round. In addition, it's easy to register for SLFCU eStatements and eNotices so account information doesn’t go to your physical mailbox. Visit slfcu.org/eStatements to learn more.
MONITOR YOUR ACCOUNTS CLOSELY TO DETECT FRAUD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- Contact the Credit Union immediately if you notice unusual account activity or receive a bill you didn’t expect.
- Review your credit report regularly to look for accounts you did not open, and dispute any inaccuracies.
- If a merchant declines a payment or if you notice a fraudulent transaction, contact your credit or debit card issuer immediately. Once thieves have your personal information, they can empty your bank accounts and rack up charges on your card quickly.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE CONCERNED.
Seeing something questionable can be upsetting. If you think you are a victim of fraud:
- File a police report.
- Contact SLFCU for help with your accounts.
- Report mail theft to the U.S. Postal Service at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or by calling 877.876.2455.
- Visit the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov for more information.
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