As tax returns start make their way to Grande Prairie mailboxes, so do the fingers of potential thieves. Alberta RCMP have issued a reminder to residents to check their mail regularly to make themselves less of a target.
“Criminals who steal mail are targeting pre-paid credit cards, gift cards, cheques and documents that will make it easy for them to access your banking and other personal information,” says Corporal Laurel Scott. “This time of year, thieves are especially targeting the pre-paid credit cards used by tax companies to deliver tax refunds to their clients, or refunds otherwise directed distributed.”
The RCMP’s new Call Back Unit to handle non-emergency calls has been fielding several reports of thefts from rural mailboxes. It’s recommended Albertans check their mail daily, and consider having packages sent to a businesses address where it can be picked up.
Mounties in Grande Prairie have had nine reports of thefts from mail in the rural area and three in the city since January, but Constable Melanie McIntosh notes that those include mailboxes that appeared to have been tampered with but didn’t necessarily have mail stolen.