If you suspect your mail has been stolen, act quickly to limit potential identity theft. First, report the theft to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the federal law enforcement agency that investigates mail crimes. Filing a report creates a record of the theft and may help catch repeat offenders in your area. You should also notify your local post office to request a mail hold or secure delivery option.
Next, monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for unusual activity. If sensitive documents such as bank statements, Social Security information, or credit offers were stolen, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus. This ensures that criminals cannot easily open accounts in your name.
Finally, notify creditors, government agencies, or healthcare providers if you suspect specific stolen documents could be used for fraud. For example, if your Medicare or Social Security correspondence was taken, contact those agencies directly. Being proactive limits the damage and strengthens your case if you later need to dispute fraudulent debts.
