Napa County Sheriff's Office Issues Mail Theft Alert, Gives Prevention Tips

The following is courtesy of the Napa County Sheriff's Office:

NAPA COUNTY, CA -- Over the past four months we have had 19 reported incidents of mail theft or mailbox tampering in the rural areas of the county. As a result, the Napa Sheriff’s Office encourages you to protect your mail and your identity, especially if you do not have a locking mail box.

Here are a few preventative measures you can take:

•Never send cash in the mail.
• Pick up mail promptly after it’s delivered. Or have a trusted friend or neighbor pick up your mail.
•If you fail to receive checks or other important mail, contact the issuing agency immediately.
•Ask your bank for secured checks that can’t be altered.
•If you change your address, immediately notify not only your local Post Office but also anyone with whom you do business with via the mail.
•Use the letter slots at your post office to deposit mail, or give them to your local letter carrier.
•Have your post office hold your mail when you’re on vacation or away for an extended period.

Call the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at (707) 253-4451, if you see suspicious persons or vehicles in your neighborhood or if you are the victim of a mail theft/mailbox tampering. If the theft is in progress, try to get a good description of the people involved as well as a vehicle description and license plate number, if possible. Please do not jeopardize your safety to obtain this information.

If you are sure that someone has stolen your mail, but have no evidence and no idea who is responsible, you can also report it online directly to the US Postal Service, at: htts://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx

For more tips and preventative measures, please contact the Napa County Sheriff's Office POPP Unit at (707) 299-1307.

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