These Tips Will Help You Avoid Mail Theft As Incidents Surge: DuPage Sheriff's Office

DUPAGE COUNTY — The DuPage County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) has seen a recent surge in incidents of check washing and mail theft, prompting them to share tips to help residents avoid being the victim of these types of crimes.

Here are the tips, shared by DCSO from the U.S. Postal Service.

• Retrieve your mail as soon as you can after it has been delivered.
• Avoid leaving mail in your box overnight.
• Buy security envelopes to help protect your outgoing mail.
• Register for U.S.P.S. Informed Delivery, which offers images and information about upcoming mail and pacakage deliveries.
• Drop outgoing mail off at the post office.

Reports of check washing are also on the rise. DCSO shared the following tips.

• Complete the payee and amount lines on all checks.
• Avoid writing personal details on checks.
• Check bank activity and statements to ensure checks have not been altered.
• Opt for electronic checks and ACH payments when possible.
• Touch base with payees to see if they've gotten your check.

The U.S.P.S. reports that in 2024, it more than 4,700 arrests were made for crimes linked to mail theft, mail fraud, prohibited mailings and attacks and robberies involving mail carriers.