Law enforcement warns of mail thefts as tax season approaches

Tax season is here, a recent round of COVID relief payments are still being delivered, and law enforcement agencies including the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office are advising residents to be extra vigilant for mail thieves seeking to steal tax refunds and stimulus checks.

Recent reports of mail thefts in Calaveras County include incidents near the 7000 block of Baldwin Street and on Milton Road in the Jenny Lind area south of Valley Springs, Sgt. Greg Stark with the Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday in a statement.

Thefts from mailboxes and packages taken from porches happen regularly in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, especially in rural settings where mail thieves can feel like they are not being watched.

Tax season, tax returns, and stimulus checks are incentives for mail thieves right now, as well as identity theft, Stark said.

“Mail theft often leads to other crimes such as identity theft,” Stark said. “Your mailbox is the most non-technological point for identity theft.”

Mail theft includes the taking of envelopes from mailboxes and the taking of packages that are delivered to homes or businesses, Stark said. The Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to take steps to protect themselves from mail theft.

• Never send cash or gift cards in the mail, because they are next to impossible to reclaim and are particularly sought-after items.

• If possible, make arrangements for a neighbor to receive or retrieve packages if no one is

home during the day.

• Even if you have a locking mailbox, never leave mail in the mailbox overnight. Make a daily routine out of collecting your mail — even if you aren’t expecting any mail.

• Keep in mind that even a simple utility bill is valuable to an identity thief.

• Secure your mailbox. A secure mailbox or mail slot is one that locks and is made of metal, in well-lit surroundings. A visible home surveillance system can create a triple threat against unexpected visitors who may be after your mail.

Calaveras County residents are urged to report all mail thefts, as well as suspicious vehicles. Anyone with questions can call Stark at (209) 754-6500.