| Identity theft is becoming more common all the | | | | the market. However, for people who live in |
| time. The reason is because identity theft is such | | | | residences where the mail is delivered house to |
| an easy and low risk crime to commit. The vast | | | | house, US Post Office regulations do not allow for |
| majority of criminals who practice ID theft do not | | | | the securing of outgoing mail (only incoming mail |
| get caught. Most police departments are staffed | | | | can be locked in a locking mailbox). Outgoing mail |
| with competent hardworking officers and | | | | has to be put into a clip or receptacle that is easy |
| detectives. But in the current economic climate, | | | | for your letter carrier to get. |
| these police departments are under budgeted. | | | | Most outgoing mail is twice as sensitive as |
| They will usually deploy their resources to violent | | | | incoming mail. Think of receiving a credit card bill in |
| crimes. Non-violent crimes like identity theft usually | | | | you incoming mail. This is sensitive because it has |
| do not get the time and attention they need. | | | | your credit card number, name and address on it. |
| Furthermore, identity thieves are notoriously hard | | | | However, think of paying your credit card bill with |
| to catch. They typically use aliases and they | | | | a check, and then putting it in the outgoing mail. |
| move addresses often. Many times ID thieves live | | | | Not only would the contents of the envelope |
| in another city or another state. In order to catch | | | | contain all the information from your credit card |
| them, your police department has to work with | | | | statement, but it would also contain your bank, |
| the police department in the city or state where | | | | checking account number, and signature. |
| the ID thief lives. This type of collaboration | | | | Always take any type of sensitive outgoing mail |
| between police departments is possible, but it can | | | | (anything with financial information on it) to a Post |
| be difficult at best. | | | | Office, or to one of the blue mailboxes the Post |
| The very best way to deal with identity theft is | | | | Office operates. The only outgoing mail you should |
| to prevent it in the first place. Even in the modern | | | | put in your home mailbox would be personal |
| age of computer hackers and digital crime, the | | | | letters, or invitations to parties, etc. Taking |
| majority of identity theft happens the old | | | | common sense steps like this will go a long way |
| fashioned way: mail theft. | | | | to helping prevent you from being a victim of |
| You can protect your incoming mail by purchasing | | | | identity theft. |
| one of the many locking mailboxes available on | | | | |