Identity Theft and Your Mail

Identity theft has become the nation’s fastest-growing crime. Last year, criminals stole the identities of more than 9.9 million Americans, costing the victims about $5 billion. Stunningly, these statistics probably underestimate the true magnitude of the crime, as identity theft can take so many forms (e.g., credit card fraud, mail theft, Internet fraud, etc.). Though only about 4% of identity theft cases resulted from stolen mail, the U.S. Postal Inspectors have launched an initiative to keep the nation’s mail out of the hands of identity thieves. In this post, we’ll explore the connection between mail and identity theft in more detail.

Why Thieves Target Mail

The mail is an easy target for identity thieves. Most Americans do not lock their mail boxes, and few shred junk mail and other sensitive documents as diligently as they should. The mail contains a smorgasbord of personal information of which identity thieves can easily take advantage. Here are the most common mail-related forms of identity theft:

1. Change of address. Identity thieves complete a change-of-address form to have someone else’s mail sent to their residence. They can then steal personal information from the victim’s bank statements, bills, etc.
2. Junk mail. Even with the heightened awareness about identity theft, some consumers still thoughtlessly discard credit card approval offers and other sensitive junk mail. Identity thieves then “Dumpster dive” for these documents, apply for the card in the victim’s name, and run up charges on the account.
3. Bills. Thieves may steal bills, bank statements, pay stubs, and other documents with personal information from the victim’s mailbox, car, or home. These documents often contain credit card account numbers, bank account information, social security numbers, and more. With access to this kind of information, the thief can easily assume the victim’s identity.

Preventing Mail-Related Identity Theft

In an effort to thwart mail-related identity theft, the Postal Inspectors have begun a campaign to raise awareness about the crime and encourage vigilance among consumers. Here are the Postal Inspectors’ ID theft prevention tips:

• Review your credit report every year. You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus annually. Check over your report for any irregularities.
• Shred all documents that contain any personal information. Be especially careful to shred credit card pre-approval offers.
• Drop off your mail in USPS collection boxes instead of placing it in your mailbox for pick-up.
• Don’t let mail sit in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.