Dale Penn

Postal Inspector laments: “Like nothing we have ever seen!”

Nebraska police and postal authorities have uncovered what appears to be one of the largest cases of mail fraud and identity theft they have ever encountered.

A vehicle searched after a routine traffic stop uncovered a mountain of stolen mail which lead veteran postal inspectors to discover one of the largest caches of stolen mail in the state’s history.

Similar incidents in Fremont, California have led to the arrest and conviction of a couple who were recently sentenced to five years in prison and slapped with a $25 million dollar judgement for trying to misuse the U.S. Mail to defraud Microsoft Corporation.

The Microsoft case involved multiple defendants who were very organized and persistent.

In a frightening turn, it was discovered that the proceeds from the racket were being funneled out of the country and in to Pakistan, according to federal prosecutors.

Here are 5 simple ways to reduce your chances of being a mail fraud victim:

1. Only use a locked mailbox at home
2. Never leave mail for pickup in, on or around your mailbox (that red flag is a no no)
3. Stop your mail delivery when going on vacation
4. Utilize online bill payments to reduce the paper mail you receive
5. If you suspect you are missing mail, contact local police and Postal Inspectors pronto

Sadly, we have finally come to the point in our nation’s history when it is naive and foolish to utter the hackneyed phrase “the check is in the mail.”

Postal Customers Receive Timely Alert

John E. Potter, CEO of the United States Post Office has weighed in on the severity and urgency of the raging identity theft battle.

Personally, I was very pleased to receive this piece of seemingly “junk” mail last week and I’m hopeful that most postal customers took the time to read it. The letter acknowledges both the scope and seriousness of this crime.

Readers were reminded of the  lasting effects that ID theft can exact upon one’s credit worthiness,  employment eligibility and even access to medical care.

In April 2007, President George Bush’s Identity Theft Task Force published a 108 page report detailing the government’s strategy to make the fed’s efforts “more effective and efficient in the areas of identity theft awareness, prevention, detection and prosecution.”

Coordinating the efforts of multiple government agencies to analyze crime reports, craft a strategic safeguards plan, utilize available resources, educate the public, investigate complaints and vigorously prosecute perpetrators is essential. Its also a mouth full.

Hats off to the Postmaster General for slipping this timely little letter and it’s accompanying brochure from the Federal Trade Commission, into my mailbox and yours.

 Well done!