Mail thieves target residents in east Columbia

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Dozens of Columbia residents fell victim to mail theft within the past month, according to the Boone County Sheriff's Office.

Capt. Brian Leer, a spokesman for the Boone County Sheriff's Office, said in an email that the recent thefts happened in neighborhoods in east Columbia, off Route WW.

"On 05/10/2024 we responded to the 4000 block of East Highway WW to investigate a citizen reporting finding mail that included various addresses.  A deputy responded and was directed to a pile of mail, some of which had been burned," Leer wrote. 

U.S. Postal Service Inspector Paul Shade said between May 2023 through March, the USPS Inspection Service has arrested 1,025 people for mail theft through its Project Safe Delivery Program.

Shade said identity theft is a leading motive for mail theft, but other reasons such as getting bank information could be another motivator for mail thieves. 

According to Shade, those who are victims of mail or identity theft should first contact their bank or license office.

"You need to contact those institutions first, and then, of course, make a police report. And then the final piece is to contact our agency which is just USPIS.gov," Shade said.

Shade recommends not leaving mail in your mailbox overnight and use the resources available on the USPS website, such as requesting a hold on mail, if you're heading out of town.

"Do not let your mail sit in your incoming or outgoing mailbox overnight. If you're going to be on vacation we recommend that people hold their mail through the postal service and you can do that through the postal service website at www.USPS.com," Shade added.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office said it is still investigating mail theft from the past year. Forty-one residents who have had their mail stolen during this recent string of thefts have seen it returned, according to the Sheriff's Office.