| Don't you love to get mail? When I was a child, I'd | | | | protect your mail by following these suggestions: |
| come home from school, and the first thing I'd say | | | | |
| would be "Hi mom, what's for supper?" followed | | | | 1. Never send cash or coins through the mail. Always |
| closely by "Did I get any mail?" I still look forward to | | | | send a check or money order. |
| reading the mail. Letters from loved ones and friends, | | | | 2. Make Sure your mailbox is in good condition. |
| cards at Christmas and birthdays, catalogs and | | | | Mailboxes in poor condition often expose mail to theft |
| coupons. Sure some of it is junk, but some of it is | | | | and bad weather. |
| important - like bills that need to be paid - insurance, | | | | 3. Collect Mail from your mailbox promptly, especially |
| utilities or house payments. For some people who | | | | checks. Become familiar with the time of day your |
| might not get out of their homes or apartments as | | | | letter carrier delivers mail. If you cannot be home when |
| much as they used to, such as Senior Citizens, the | | | | checks are expected, ask a trusted friend or neighbor |
| postal carrier delivering the daily mail can be an exciting | | | | to pick up your mail. Also, contact your post office |
| event. | | | | about holding your mail for you during vacations or |
| Yes, mail delivery is very important to us all. That | | | | other long absences from home. |
| someone would tamper with or even steal the US Mail | | | | 4. Contact the issuing agency if you do not receive an |
| is almost unthinkable. Steal the mail? Who would want | | | | expected check, credit card, or other valuable mail. |
| to do that? The very idea might conjure up visions of | | | | 5. Notify your post office immediately if you change |
| the "Great Train Robbery," with bandits robbing bags | | | | your address. |
| of mail, and riding off into the sunset in a hail of gunfire. | | | | 6. When you are mailing letters, especially important |
| As incredible as it sounds, occasionally the mail does | | | | letters containing checks, deposit your mail in an |
| get stolen, although maybe not quite so dramatically. | | | | authorized mail collection box or give it to your letter |
| Recently we had a report of three cases of mail theft. | | | | carrier. Never place mail for your carrier to pick up in |
| They all occurred at the same apartment building. | | | | an unprotected area where it can be easily stolen. |
| Residents had put letters to be mailed out by the | | | | 7. Address your mail properly. Always include your |
| mailbox to be picked up by the letter carrier. Some of | | | | complete return address, street/apartment number and |
| the envelopes contained checks to pay bills. The | | | | ZIP code. If you do not know the correct ZIP code, call |
| letters were stolen. Some of them were later | | | | your local post office. |
| recovered in the area, torn open, checks gone. | | | | 8. Advise your local postmaster immediately if your |
| The victims will have to stop payment on the stolen | | | | mail is stolen. |
| checks, write new checks, and mail the payments | | | | Social Security: If you are collecting Social Security |
| again. Then they'll have to wait to see what else they | | | | income pay special attention. Last year, 22 million |
| thought was mailed that might have actually been | | | | people didn't have to worry about receiving their |
| stolen. One lady reports her phone bill payment was | | | | monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security |
| apparently stolen, the phone company didn't get paid, | | | | Income (SSI) checks. Why? Because they use Direct |
| and her phone was disconnected. In other words, | | | | Deposit! |
| when mail is stolen, it means hassles for everyone | | | | With Direct Deposit, your Social Security or SSI checks |
| involved. | | | | are tucked safely away in your personal bank |
| The Postal Service delivers millions of checks, money | | | | account. Your checks arrive on time. They can't be |
| orders, savings bonds, credit cards, and other valuable | | | | stolen. They can't be lost. And they can't be damaged |
| items everyday. Unfortunately, thieves know this and | | | | or destroyed. |
| are ready and willing to steal your mail when the time | | | | To sign up for Social Security Direct Deposit, call Social |
| is right. | | | | Security at 1-800-772-1213, your local Social Security |
| The Postal Service works hard to make sure your | | | | office, or ask about Direct Deposit where you bank. |
| mail gets to you safe and sound. But you can help | | | | |