Nassau Police Warn Of Increased Mail Theft

Nassau County police are warning residents of an increase in the theft of mail from mailboxes, and are advising residents to take steps to protect their mail.

According to officials, the mail theft is occurring at all times of the day and night. Thieves usually use a weighted object attached to a string, and covered in a stick substance, which they lower into mail boxes to snag mail and pull it out. They also sometimes put sticky substances on the inside of the mailbox to catch letters as they slide in.

The police department offered the following tips to safeguard your mail:

• Instead of mail boxes, use the letter slots inside your post office, or hand letters directly to your letter carrier.
• Do not send cash in the mail.
• If you need to send money, ask your bank for secure checks that cannot be altered.
• If you're using a mail box, drop off mail as close as possible to collection time. Avoid dropping off mail on the holiday or weekends.
• Check to make sure your mail slid down into the box and is not stuck on any surface.

Police say that anyone who sees people acting suspiciously while they're dropping of mail should not hesitate to call 911.