If you haven’t checked the mail yet today, you might want to get on it before thieves do.
North Vancouver RCMP is warning the public after a spike in reported mail thefts.
So far in 2020, there have been 34 reported thefts including 21 targeting shared apartment mailboxes and 11 packages snatched from doorsteps. In the same time last year there were a total of 21 cases, according to police. Package thefts tend to peak between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. while apartment mailbox break-ins tend to be carried out in the very early mornings.
Mail theft can sometimes yield cheques or credit cards, but typically it’s just the precursor to more serious identity theft.
"We’re used to seeing some increases around tax time. Would-be thieves try to capitalize on the fact that tax documents will be transiting the postal system. But the seasonal increase isn’t trailing off as usual,” said Sgt. Peter DeVries, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. “ It’s possible that with greater numbers of support funds being mailed to Canadians, coupled with the extension in time to file taxes, criminals are continuing to try their luck."
Documents arriving by mail this time of year can include a treasure trove of sensitive information like social insurance numbers, birth dates, driver’s licence numbers, bank account numbers, signatures and PIN codes.
"[Thieves] can open new bank accounts and transfer funds out of your legitimate accounts, rack up charges on your credit cards or apply for new ones, apply for loans, credit lines or government benefits, and they can even apply for a passport in your name," DeVries said. “That can be an enormous nightmare for people."
North Vancouver RCMP have dedicated more officers to mail theft investigations, DeVries said, and police are confident they will catch the culprits.
“"It’s just a matter of time."
But, he added, residents should take extra precautions to deter identity theft in the meantime, including checking the mail at least daily, avoiding having packages arrive at your home when you won’t be there to receive them, making sure banks are aware as soon as you’ve had a change of address, shredding old documents instead of just recycling them, contacting senders if an expected piece of mail never arrives, and never letting strangers follow you into your apartment lobby or parkade.
Anyone with information about the mail thefts is asked to contact North Vancouver RCMP.
