It seems all we get in our mailbox is junk mail, bills, and sometimes a beer from a neighbor. Other than the occasionally left thank you beer, I don't care to really check our mailbox as we have switched over to online bill pay for most of our bills. On Friday afternoon Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn posted to the Rice County Sheriff's Office Facebook page warning residents about a recent uptick in mail theft. 

The Sheriff's Office has recently been following up on more cases of checks being stolen from area mailboxes, the checks are being altered and then ultimately cashed. The social media post goes on to say that if you notice any suspicious activity regarding your mailbox such as the door being left down or mail on the ground near the mailbox or an unusual period of time where you have not received mail, please contact the Rice County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency by phone. 

In addition to the Facebook post, the Rice County Sheriff's Office offered up a few tips for residents:

  • Drop your mail at a USPS drop-off receptacle rather than your residential mailbox
  • Having your mail held at the post office or having a friend or family member pick it up when you plan on being away for an extended period of time
  • Report any unusual vehicles making frequent stops near mailboxes
  • Monitor your accounts for unusual purchases or payments that don’t arrive or appear delayed

The US Postal Inspectors website has other helpful tips, and passes along this additional information; If you see a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 (press 3).

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