Reports have been popping up around the Morongo Basin of residents walking out to their mailboxes, only to find them open and empty. Under US Code 18 Section 1708, mail theft is a punishable federal offense, and it is defined as taking any piece of mail that is not your own for any purpose. Charges for mail theft can result in up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000. That is why the Sheriff’s Department encourages residents to monitor their mailboxes and report any suspicious behavior. Reporter Andrew Dieleman offers these tips on ways to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of mail theft…
The United States Postal Inspector recommends the following tips to lower the chances that you will become a victim:
- Retrieve your mail as soon as possible after it is delivered. Don’t leave your mail unattended for extended periods, and don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight.
- If you cannot regularly retrieve your mail promptly, consider installing a lockable mailbox or obtaining a P.O. Box service from your local post office.
- If you are away from home temporarily, ask your post office to hold your mail until your return.
- Always deposit your mail in a mail slot at your local post office, or hand it to your letter carrier.
- Monitor your bank account statements regularly and report any charges or checks you did not authorize.
- Monitor your credit report and report any accounts you did not authorize.
- Ask your bank for “secure” checks that can’t be altered.
