Protect Yourself from Mail Theft
Mail theft tends to increase over the holidays when thieves are hoping to get their hands on checks, gift cards, and packages. Follow these tips to reduce the chances of having your mail stolen.
- Send outgoing mail from inside the post office. Don’t leave mail in freestanding mailboxes.
- Pick up your mail as soon as possible after delivery. Avoid leaving mail in your mailbox overnight.
- If you are traveling, have the post office 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. Or consider having deliveries shipped to a local retailer for pickup or a FedEx or UPS facility.
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 may be stolen from your mailbox or redirected to another address without your knowledge.
The mailing tips above are a good start to preventing the theft of personal information year-round. In addition, register for Sunward’s eStatements and eNotices so account information doesn’t go to your physical mailbox. To sign up, log in to online banking, select Alerts, and then click eStatements and eNotices.
Monitor your accounts closely to detect fraud as soon as possible.
- Follow up 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 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 can accrue additional charges on your credit card quickly.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE CONCERNED
Seeing something questionable can be upsetting. If you’re a victim of fraud:
- Call the police to file a report.
- Contact Sunward for help with your accounts.
- Report mail theft to the U.S. Postal Service at 877.876.2455.
- Visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov for more information.
