Police: Tips You Need to Know to Protect Your Mail and Gift Deliveries During the Holidays

With the holiday season upon, the Pasadena Police Department has provided us with some helpful hints on how to safeguard your mail and parcel packages during the season.

PROTECTING YOUR MAIL:

 Do not leave mail attached to your door slot for pick up. Take it to the post office or hand it to your mail carrier.

 Pick up your mail promptly after it has been delivered. Don’t let it sit in your mailbox overnight. If you are expecting checks, credit cards or other negotiable items, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to pick up your mail. You can also request to have your mail held at the post office if you are away on vacation.

 If you don’t receive a check or credit card you have been expecting, contact the issue agency immediately.

 If you change addresses, contact your Post Office immediately.

 Do not send cash through the mail, ever!

 Report all suspected mail theft to the Postal Inspector

 Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, you can watch each other’s mail deliveries and homes.

 Consult you Postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes, including the availability of locked centralized or curbside mailboxes.

FINANCIAL FRAUD

 Beware of suspicious “900” telephone numbers

 Charity Fraud

 Credit Card Fraud – Never give out personal information over the phone

 Schemes that charge money before services are rendered

 Investment Fraud

 Chain letters asking for money

 E-mails indicating you won cash, however you have to send money in order to collet your winnings

 Foreign Lotteries

 Free vacation scams

OTHER TYPES OF FRAUD

 Home improvement

 Inheritance scams

 Unsolicited merchandise

 Money order scams

Postal Inspector 1-877-876-2455

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service likes to keep its customers satisfied, and a new call center helps them do that. Callers can reach the appropriate Postal Inspection Service office by dialing 1-877-876-2455 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in all time zones.

Or visit this website:

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/