Understanding Mail Identity Theft 

In our digital age, the threat of identity theft has become increasingly sophisticated, but traditional methods like mail identity theft still pose a significant risk, particularly for seniors. This scam involves the theft of physical mail to gain access to personal information and commit fraud. So what is mail identity theft and how does it work? What are the different versions of this scam, protective measures you can take, and steps to take if you suspect you’ve been scammed? 

What is Mail Identity Theft? 

Mail identity theft occurs when someone illegally intercepts or steals your mail to obtain sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank statements, credit card information, and utility bills. This information is then used to commit fraud, such as opening new credit accounts, taking out loans, or making unauthorized purchases. 

How Does it Work? 

Thieves may use several methods to steal your mail: 

1. Dumpster Diving: Searching through trash for discarded mail containing personal information. 

2. Mail Theft: Physically taking mail from your mailbox. I have seen this happen at campgrounds I have been at. One place had a mailroom with mail slots for each site. Each day the mail was sorted and you could just grab your mail whenever it was convenient for you. Sounds good right? The problem is the door to the mailroom was open 24 hours and never locked!!! They had cameras but they only caught the deed after the fact. Besides people would wear a hoody and not ever be seen on camera.

3. Change of Address Fraud: Filing a false change of address form to redirect your mail to another location. I saw this happen to a couple of clients I was working with when I did tax returns for Jackson Hewitt.

4. Inside Jobs: Untrustworthy individuals working in mail handling positions may steal sensitive mail. All you need to do is watch the news and you will hear about this.

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Different Versions of Mail Identity Theft 

1. Credit Card Fraud: Thieves apply for new credit cards using stolen personal information. 

2. Loan Fraud: Using stolen identities to take out loans that the victim will be responsible for. This can include car loans and mortgages, not just personal loans.

3. Check Fraud: Stealing checks from the mail to forge and cash them. 

4. Account Takeover: Hijacking existing bank or credit card accounts to make unauthorized transactions. 

Protecting Yourself from Mail Identity Theft 

Seniors can take several steps to safeguard against mail identity theft: 

1. Secure Your Mailbox: Use a locking mailbox or consider a PO Box for sensitive mail. 

2. Retrieve Mail Promptly: Collect your mail as soon as it is delivered. 

3. Shred Sensitive Documents: Shred any documents containing personal information before discarding them. I think this is extremely important to do and shred everything including junk mail.

4. Opt for Paperless Billing: Use electronic statements and online banking to reduce paper mail. This is my favorite one. I try to eliminate all types of paper mail. I sign up for paperless billing and statements for everything possible.

5. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. It only takes a little bit of your time but can save you so much wasted time and aggravation down the road.

6. Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious activity to your bank, credit card company, and the postal service. 

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed 

If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to mail identity theft, take immediate action: 

1. Report to the Postal Service: Notify your local post office or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. 

2. Place a Fraud Alert: Contact one of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. 

3. Freeze Your Credit: Consider a credit freeze to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. This is what I have done. You can create accounts with each credit bureau and freeze and unfreeze your credit reports at will.

4. Monitor Your Credit Report: Request a copy of your credit report and review it for any unauthorized activity. Once you have created an account with the 3 credit agencies getting your yearly report is easy and free.

5. Notify Financial Institutions: Inform your bank and credit card companies of the fraud and follow their procedures for reporting unauthorized transactions. 

6. File a Police Report: File a report with your local police department to document the theft. 

Final Thoughts 

If you do not want to actively monitor your credit reports or accounts there is another option. You can sign up for third-party vendor services like Norton Lifelock, Aura, or one of the other many services. Just Google credit monitoring and see which company best suits your needs. Sometimes your credit card company will provide watered-down versions of the paid versions for free. Once set up these companies will monitor your credit and notify you of any activity on your credit reports. There is a fee for these services.

Mail identity theft is a serious issue that can have significant repercussions for seniors. By understanding how this scam works, staying vigilant, and taking proactive steps to protect personal information, seniors can reduce the risk of falling victim to this type of fraud. If identity theft does occur, quick action is essential to minimize damage and recover from the incident. Stay informed, stay secure, and protect yourself from mail identity theft. 

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