Posted 9:59 pm Thursday, July 19, 2012
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Rusk County Mail Theft On Rise; Rural Residents Cautioned About Raising Red Flags
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
The Rusk County Sheriff's Office is encouraging residents to use caution when sending mail from rural mailboxes in light of recent mail thefts.
Sgt. Viki Penny said thefts have happened throughout the county, although she could not indicate how many.
Two people were arrested for taking mail out of mailboxes, but the problems did not stop, she said.
According to a news release, the thieves were looking for mailboxes with raised red flags and then taking the mail. The thieves are targeting items such as outgoing checks, credit card information and “other personal information,” and crimes include identity theft and forgery, the release states.
“We can't pinpoint how it's occurring, but we want them (residents) to be aware it is happening and if they're raising their flag, they could become a victim,” Sgt. Penny said.
Therefore, she said residents who still want to continue using their mailbox for outgoing mail may want to contact the recipient if they send checks for payment to ensure it is received.
She said residents also may want to consider taking mail to the post office.
The U.S. Postal Service was notified of the recent mail thefts, and the sheriff's office continues to investigate. Sgt. Penny said the postal service also likely is doing an investigation.
Staff Writer
The Rusk County Sheriff's Office is encouraging residents to use caution when sending mail from rural mailboxes in light of recent mail thefts.
Sgt. Viki Penny said thefts have happened throughout the county, although she could not indicate how many.
Two people were arrested for taking mail out of mailboxes, but the problems did not stop, she said.
According to a news release, the thieves were looking for mailboxes with raised red flags and then taking the mail. The thieves are targeting items such as outgoing checks, credit card information and “other personal information,” and crimes include identity theft and forgery, the release states.
“We can't pinpoint how it's occurring, but we want them (residents) to be aware it is happening and if they're raising their flag, they could become a victim,” Sgt. Penny said.
Therefore, she said residents who still want to continue using their mailbox for outgoing mail may want to contact the recipient if they send checks for payment to ensure it is received.
She said residents also may want to consider taking mail to the post office.
The U.S. Postal Service was notified of the recent mail thefts, and the sheriff's office continues to investigate. Sgt. Penny said the postal service also likely is doing an investigation.
