Protect Yourself from Mail Fraud

Every year, businesses lose millions of dollars due to mail fraud. Unfortunately, criminals are becoming more daring and using innovative methods to steal your money. However, you can protect yourself by following these tips that will equip you with the necessary knowledge to prevent mail fraud.

10 Tips to Prevent Mail Fraud

1. 
 Use a secure mailbox with a lock. Hardware stores sell mailboxes that meet U.S. Postal Service (USPS) regulations and are designed to protect your mail.
2. Promptly collect your mail. The less time mail sits in your mailbox, the lower the chances are of it being stolen.
3. Hold your mail when you’re away. If you’re going to be away from home for an extended period, request a mail hold from USPS. This will prevent mail from accumulating in your mailbox while you’re gone.
4. Use a PO Box. Renting a post office box at your local post office can provide added security for your mail. This can be especially helpful if you receive sensitive or valuable items regularly.
5. Monitor your mail delivery with USPS informed delivery. Keep track of when your mail typically arrives, so you can be aware of any unusual delays or missing items. Sign up for USPS informed delivery to monitor mail deliveries at https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action.
6. Use online bill pay and opt-out of mail for credit card or insurance offers and marketing messages. Opt-out of mail for credit card or insurance offers at www.optoutprescreen.com. Opt-out of marketing messages at https://www.dmachoice.org.
7. Be cautious with outgoing mail. Drop outgoing mail directly at the post office or use a USPS blue collection box.
8. Shred sensitive documents. Before discarding mail that contains personal information, shred it to prevent thieves from piecing together your data.
9. Report mail theft. If you suspect mail theft, report it to your local post office or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This can help authorities track down the culprits and prevent future thefts.
10. Install security cameras near your mailbox. Placing security cameras near your mailbox can deter thieves and help you monitor any suspicious activity.