In today’s interconnected world, where convenience often takes precedence, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about the security of your mail. Recent incidents in the 5 Towns serve as stark reminders of the global issue of mail theft, prompting residents to exercise caution when using collection boxes.
In a concerning incident in Inwood, a resident shared a distressing experience. They had placed a letter containing a check in the mailbox in front of the Inwood post office, only to receive a call from a bank in New Jersey the next day. A woman had attempted to cash their check, but not before altering the name on it and increasing the amount – a fraudulent practice known as “check washing.”
Shockingly, this incident is not an isolated one. Others chimed in with their own stories, warning against using the Inwood mailbox due to theft concerns.
While these incidents may seem local, they reflect a larger issue. The US Postal Service itself warned about the vulnerability of blue collection bins. In a press release back in 2022, they cautioned against depositing important mail, especially checks, into these bins after the last collection of the day or on Sundays and federal holidays. Criminals often see these bins as easy targets.
Mail theft has seen a significant surge, with nearly 300,000 reports filed from March 2020 through February 2021—a staggering 161 percent increase from the previous year. These numbers underscore the urgency of addressing the issue.
It’s not just USPS collection bins at risk; similar concerns extend to private carriers like UPS and FedEx. Residents have noted instances where overflowing bins led others to leave packages outside local drop off locations, potentially exposing them to theft.
The message is clear: when it comes to sensitive mail or packages, taking the extra time to visit the Post Office in person is a safer alternative. Ensuring that your mail is accepted properly can prevent unauthorized access and potential theft.
Federal court records reveal the extent of the problem, with 38,500 mail thefts reported in 2022 and 25,000 cases in the first half of the following year. Even letter carriers have faced risks, with 412 being robbed on the job in 2022, a number that jumped to 305 in just the first half of 2023.
To combat this issue, the Postal Inspection Service encourages customers to promptly report stolen mail by submitting an online complaint or calling 877-876-2455.
Sounds like voting by mail could also be just as fraudulent and as easy to intercept.
Why would you post a picture of the Lawrence post office when you’re speaking of the Inwood post office?
Good question!
I was wondering the same? So they are saying don’t use the blue bins? Don’t they call them mailboxes anymore? And if they are one and the same , get rid of them and or install big cameras that take their picture and post it in the newspapers
It’s amazing how we have parking meters that can photograph our vehicles as to when they pull into and pull out of our parking spaces. But we cannot secure the US postal system with its mailboxes and their security.
I would not be surprised if some of the theft is done with the aid or assistance from the postal employees
We saw this in the past
No wonder the PO is loosing millions