West Seattle Crime Watch: More mail theft? Plus, break-in reports

First – for the second time in nine days, there’s a report of suspected stolen mail found in the Arbor Heights area. Last one was discussed here on January 22nd; the e-mail we received today says:

I was walking my dog in Arbor Heights a short time ago when I noticed a pile of soggy mail behind some shrubs on SW 102nd St. at 38th Ave SW [map]. The mail was unopened, but all of it was financially related: Social Security, tax forms, credit cards. The addresses were all on a single block of 39th Ave SW between 102nd & 104th. I’m speculating that the thief was interrupted somehow and either dumped the evidence, or stashed it for later. This would be prime time for mail theft, with all of the tax forms going out. I re-delivered all of the mail, not thinking until later that perhaps I should have notified police instead.

Mail theft is a federal crime. The US Postal Service has links for reporting it as well as tampering and fraud – go here. Ahead – two break-in reports in other neighborhoods:

From the Hansen View BlockWatch, a burglary Thursday night at 37th/Hudson [map]:

I came home around 7:30 PM to find that my front door was kicked in and that they had pretty thoroughly torn through the bedroom, office, and part of the basement. Got into a locked file cabinet and stole credit card information, checks, video camera, camera, etc.

The HVBW also was trying to figure out what area burglary led to SPD alert flyers placed in the 5000 block of 35th SW [map]. Meantime, further south, this report from Sharon:

Truck vandalized late Wednesday evening at 47th Ave SW and Othello [map] at Lincoln Park . Back wind shield broken and truck ransacked. Not much there to steal. Parked off street in apt complex lot.

11 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: More mail theft? Plus, break-in reports"

  • Jaf January 31, 2010 (4:58 pm)

    When my stolen car was recovered, it was filled with mail from Beach drive . This was aweek or so ago.

  • Mike F January 31, 2010 (5:39 pm)

    People think I’m overreacting when I say that identity theft — and its first cousin, mail theft — ought to be treated as seriously as murder. It’s pretty close, because the perpetrator has effectively ended life as the victim knows it.

  • eileen January 31, 2010 (7:30 pm)

    We recently upgrade to a locked mail box. It has a slot things can go in, but I have to unlock it when I get home to get the mail out. I’m sure it’s not perfect, but it might discourage a thief or slow them down. Have to get one approved by the Postal Service, but its not too hard to do.

  • David February 1, 2010 (12:16 am)

    2 break-ins Friday, January 29 in the 8500 & 8600 block of 36th Ave SW. Both happened btwn 1:00 & 3:00 pm.

  • Brian C February 1, 2010 (8:14 am)

    Hello Everyone – I am a Loss Prevention & Security investigator for UPS in Seattle. If you or anyone you know has had any UPS packages stolen from your house after one of our drivers delivered them, please contact me. This is an on going and escalating issue with the current economy. You can either reach out to 1-800-PICK-UPS or you can call me directly at 206-621-6279. I also live in West Seattle so I want to help protect my neighbors as well as the company I work for.

  • Bianca February 1, 2010 (8:35 am)

    Once again, we had mail taken from our box in a week’s time. We’re located on Ocean View Dr near 35th. The first incident was medicine I had been expecting. The second was 2 Netflix movies that never arrived – which has never happened in the many years we’ve been members.

  • Jenny DB February 1, 2010 (1:07 pm)

    @eileen – You (the consumer) are not responsible for getting your locking mailbox approved by the USPS. The manufacturer of the locking mailbox is responsible. If the box says “USPS approved” you can use it as a replacement for a standard curbside mailbox, provided you follow the enclosed instructions for USPS installation height specs, etc.

       Mail identity theft is at an all-high nationwide. It is one of the PRIMARY ways identity thieves gain access to your personal sensitive information. Think of everything that comes in your mailbox!! And would you know if it never arrived??? How long would it take for you to realize…?

       Also, think about this: Do you just THROW AWAY your bills in the trash without shredding them or tearing them up?? ALL the stuff you shred.. it comes in your mailbox. It’s EASIER (and less disgusting) for thieves to take from your mailbox than the dump!!

       People have GOT to start locking their mailboxes to protect their identities. It’s a sad but true reality in today’s world. The best protection is a high security locking mailbox that CANNOT be pried open or fished by hand.

       Junction True Value in West Seattle has some good options, including the “Mail Boss” locking security mailbox (our company, based in Redmond) that can’t be pried open. Happy to answer questions, as I keep tabs on mail identity theft across the nation.

  • marco February 1, 2010 (1:20 pm)

    Regarding the mail theft: Look at what happened to a colleague of mine in Ballard http://bit.ly/auvpon

  • Chris February 1, 2010 (3:52 pm)

    Great locking mailboxes at McLendon’s in White Center for anyone in the Arbor Heights area.

  • lina February 1, 2010 (5:56 pm)

    All of our W2 information has been suspiciously absent from the mail, though other things have arrived. We suspect it has been stolen. I checked my credit report today, and there have been no new inquiries….. This sucks!

  • Jenny DB February 2, 2010 (11:13 am)

    @lina if you think your mail has been stolen there’s a couple things you need to do:

    (1) Issue a Fraud Alert Immediately. Better safe than sorry!! This temporary alert (expires after 90 days) requires credit bureaus to contact you directly to verify your identity when anyone inquires on your credit. Just call one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and request a fraud alert. No need to contact all three, as they are required to communicate fraud alerts with each other.

    (2) Report Theft to the USPIS (only if you KNOW your mail has been stolen, though). To report your mail theft online, use this USPIS Contact Form.

    https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MLNtRcvd.aspx

    (3) File a Complaint with the FTC. The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for compiling national data on mail and identity theft. Beware the FTC does not resolve individual consumer complaints, but provides valuable information for officials in their investigations. File a complaint with the FTC Complaint Form.

    Also, use a locking mailbox to prevent mail theft in the future!!! :)

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