Mounties are putting a warning out to the public after an increased amount of mailbox theft calls in the province. RCMP at K Division Headquarters are saying that several calls have been received about mailbox theft in communities around Alberta.
They say criminals who steal mail are looking for pre-paid credit cards, gift cards, cheques and other documents that will make it easy for them to access your banking and other personalinformation. This time of year, thieves are especially hunting the pre-paid credit cards used by tax companies to deliver tax refunds to their clients, or refunds not directly deposited.
Kassidy Massick knows all too well what the mounties are warning about. She lives in Bonnyville and says a few weeks ago she was the victim of mailbox theft near 51st avenue.
“My neighbours came over around lunch, they said that the mailboxes had been broken in to. We went to the mailboxes and all of the smaller doors were open and the mail was all gone.”
Massick says her neighbours were concerned about tax returns and bills being in the hands of criminals. She made a post on the Bonnyville Rant and Rave Facebook page warning others about the crime.
RCMP are telling the public to check your mail daily, and consider having important items sent by registered mail instead of being left in the box. Massick says she has some first hand advice to keep your mail safe.
“Keep your eye out on your mailbox or make sure you bring everything important or special in.”