How mail thefts can put your personal information at risk, particularly in January
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A brazen mail thief was caught on camera on the Southwest Side. He didn't even try to hide it; just walked up to a home, helping himself to what's inside the mailbox.
CBS News Chicago has reported on the troubling trend of stolen mail for years, sharing footage of people walking into apartment and condo buildings – often using stolen U.S. Postal Service master keys – and stealing packages and mail, but this case is a first.
A stranger walked onto the front porch of a house in at 79th and Cicero in the Scottsdale neighborhood and took mail right out of the mailbox.
"He just walked up to my house like he lived there," said homeowner Karla Muralles.
She said she doesnt' know the guy, but his action left her with many questions.
"It's one thing if he's trying to put something in my mailbox, but he's taking something out. So what does he want? What is he looking for? Why?" she said.
It's not clear what items of mail the man took from her mailbox.
"I did call the police and I made a police report. I didn't realize until recently that I could have made a report with the postmaster," she said.
It turns out more people are reporting mail thefts across the country.
The 2024 U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General semi-annual report to Congress warned "personal or business checks, U.S. Treasury checks, and credit/debit cards—are in high demand in criminal circles."
"Stealing from the mail is still a valuable thing to the fraudster," said Governors State University professor Bill Kresse, a certified fraud examiner known as "Professor Fraud."
From April 1 through Sept. 30 of 2024, the OIG opened 773 investigations of mail theft nationwide. They made 258 arrests, resulting in more than $3 million in fines, restitution, and recoveries.
"Fraud never sleeps," Kresse said.
Kresse said mail thefts spike in January for clear reasons, so scam artists can get tax information to fill out fake tax returns to get refund checks.
"They are going to go out and steal W-2s out of people's mailboxes, because the W-2 has the name, the address, the Social Security number, the wages and the withholdings. That makes it look like a credible tax return that the IRS will not flag," he said.
Muralles' W-2's were not stolen, but she's checking her credit report to play it safe.
"It's unsettling. It makes me very uncomfortable," Muralles said.
As for W-2's, it's recommended you print them from your employer's online portal instead of having them mailed.
The U.S. Postal Service also has an option called "informed delivery" allowing you to get a digital scan of every piece of mail expected in your mailbox.
Kresse said, if your mailbox doesn't have a lock, get one to protect your personal information.
