With mail fraud and identity theft on the rise, it is important to make certain you keep a close watch on your mail. Recently, some LaFayette residents have observed a vehicle driving past their homes several times, stopping and someone opening their mailboxes. Shortly after this occurred at one residence, a citizen also reported receiving several debit cards arriving that they did not request.
If you know of anyone entering your mailbox without your permission or someone having mail delivered to your address that does not live at your location, you may need to look into it further. This is usually someone trying to commit identity theft. Contact your local police or sheriff department and file a report. It could also help with the aforementioned incidents so that nobody else becomes a victim in our area.
Additionally, tampering with someone else’s mailbox is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 1705, which criminalizes the willful destruction, damage, or theft of mail or mail receptacles. Suspected violations should be reported to the United States Postal Inspection Service 1-877-876-2455.
If you see something…say something. Trying to recover from identity theft is a nightmare and one we need to help prevent in our community.
