Mail theft is a criminal offense that involves the unauthorized act of stealing mail. Mail is wrongfully accessed, intercepted or removed from their intended recipients.

To combat mail theft, you can take several precautions:

1. Use a Locking Mailbox: Install a mailbox with a lock to prevent easy access to your mail by unauthorized individuals.

2. Collect Mail Promptly: Retrieve your mail as soon as possible after it’s delivered to minimize the time it spends unattended.

3. Opt-in for Informed Delivery: Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to receive notifications and images of your incoming mail, helping you track what should arrive. Click here to learn how.

4. Hold Mail: If you’re away, request your mail to be held at the post office until your return.

5. Redirect Mail: If you move, make sure to update your address with the postal service to guarantee your mail is forwarded to your new address.

6. Shred Sensitive Mail: Shred documents with personal or financial information before disposing them.

7. Use Secure Drop Boxes: When sending important mail, use secure drop boxes at the post office rather than leaving it in your home mailbox.

8. Consider a P.O. Box: If possible, rent a P.O. Box for your mail to ensure its security.

9. Track Deliveries: Utilize tracking services to monitor the progress of packages and ensure their safe arrival.

10. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect mail theft, report it to your local post office and law enforcement.

Taking these steps can help minimize the risk of mail theft and protect your sensitive information. For more information, click here for tips and prevention from the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Sheriff Scott Israel, Chief Judge Jack Tuter and Clerk of Courts Brenda Forman renew their warnings of an ongoing jury duty scam that has been reported in South Florida. The scam involves threats of fines and even jail time.

The U.S. Marshals also warned of a nationwide scam, saying that citizens in South Florida are among those who are being targeted.

Victims reportedly receive phone calls or emails threatening that they have missed jury service, Federal or State, and if they don’t comply with the caller’s requests, they could be fined or face jail time. In the calls or emails, the bogus caller may demand that you provide your personal or confidential information which could lead to identity theft or fraud.

The Miami U.S. Marshals Office said that they are “already aware of numerous individuals in the South Florida area who have been targeted by these jury scammers.””In one case,” the U.S. Marshals said, “the fraudster posed as a U.S. Marshal and stated a federal judge had issued an order to arrest the recipient of the phone call stating they had missed their date for jury duty. Luckily, the victim realized it was a scam and did not provide any personal information to the bogus caller.

“Anyone contacting you to demand a fine or threaten jail time is not connected to the Federal or State Court System nor a member of law enforcement. Federal and State courts normally conduct prospective juror business through the U.S. Postal Service, and any contact by real court officials will not include requests for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or any other personally identifiable information.

Members of the public are never contacted initially by email or phone for jury service. Prospective jurors first receive an official court mailing which may direct them to an official website or direct them to call an official juror call in phone number.

If you have received a phone call or email from someone claiming to be from any law enforcement agency and this person demands that you pay a fine, threatens you with jail time or requests your personal information or credit card number, try to get the caller’s number off the caller ID on your phone and write down any details the bogus caller might provide.

Report any calls you receive about this scam as follows:
For State jury duty contact the Broward Sheriff’s Office at (954) 831-8901.
For Federal jury duty, contact the U.S. Marshall’s office call (954) 356-7256