Rise In Mailbox Fraud

Rise In Mailbox Fraud
A surge in crimes targeting the U.S. Postal Service has some experts warning Americans against sending their checks through the mail.
The USPS last month cautioned that it has seen an increase in attacks on letter carriers and mail fraud incidents, with 305 mail carriers robbed in the first half of fiscal year 2023, on pace to exceed the previous year’s 412 robberies. At the same time, fraudsters are targeting mailboxes, either stealing letters directly from residents’ homes or from the blue USPS collection boxes, the postal service said.

What is the USPS recommending?
The U.S. Postal Service said that people should avoid allowing either incoming or outgoing mail from sitting in their mailboxes for too long.
“You can significantly reduce the chance of being victimized by simply removing your mail from your mailbox every day,” the agency said in a statement.
The agency also recommends that people post mail inside their local post office or at their workplace; alternatively, they can hand their mail directly to a mail carrier. However, the USPS itself hasn’t issued any specific guidance on mailing checks, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service told CBS MoneyWatch.
“Our recommendations are provided as an extra precaution for those who feel more comfortable taking their mail to the Postal Office,” the agency said.
Sign up for informed delivery from the United States Postal Service:
https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm

Contact Dart Bank if you believe your checks have been stolen or you believe fraud has occurred at 517-676-3661