February 21, 2022 9:30 a.m.

With tax time here, many residents are awaiting tax return checks.

Lieutenant Brad O’Dell from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said this also provides prime opportunities for thieves to attempt to intercept refund checks from unsecured mailboxes. O’Dell said DCSO has recently received numerous reports of mail theft occurring throughout the county.

O’Dell said “In addition to looking for refund checks, mail theft compromises your identity and can make you vulnerable to becoming a victim of fraud”. DCSO recommends the residents consider taking these actions to decrease their likelihood of mail theft:

*Consider renting a post office box or getting a locking mailbox. Unsecure traditional mailboxes allow anyone to open a mailbox and take the mail

*Sign up for a free Informed Delivery at www.usps.com. This allows residents to digitally preview what is expected to arrive in the mailbox

*Attempt to pick up mail promptly after its delivered or ask a trusted person to retrieve it. Those away from home on a trip should ask the post office to hold their mail until they return

*Never send cash through the mail

*Place outgoing mail in the mailbox close to pickup time. Avoid leaving it in the mailbox for long periods of time.

*Inquire about overdue mail

*Report mail theft to law enforcement immediately

O’Dell said residents should report suspicious vehicles or people that are near mailboxes. Video surveillance and trail cameras placed strategically near mailboxes is also highly beneficial