Avoid Using Blue Mailboxes During the Holidays, USPS Warns

Whether you’re sending holiday cards or gifts, or just sending in your monthly rent check, you might want to avoid using those big blue donation boxes—at least for the next few months, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has advised .

Reports of mail scams and theft are on the rise not only year- round , but also during the holiday season, and these blue mailboxes are becoming more frequent targets. Here’s what you need to know.

Why you should avoid blue mailboxes this holiday season

According to USPS officials, “criminal groups across the country are using the internet and social media to coordinate strategic attacks on mailboxes,” according to AL.com . In other words, people you probably don’t want to have access to your mail.

If you decide to use the blue collection boxes, be sure to do so before the last collection of the day so your mail doesn’t stay there all night. (The time should be printed on the front of the box.) This is especially true on Saturday, as the mail will be there all night and also all Sunday.

How to Send and Receive Email Safely This Holiday Season

In addition to avoiding blue collection boxes, here are some more tips from USPS experts to help get your mail into the right hands:

1. “One of the best things you can do is give it directly to your postal carrier, obviously then it’s already in their hands and in the system,” U.S. Postal Inspector Paul Shade told KY3 .
2. “Another option is to take it straight to the post office,” Shade added. “And obviously it should be during normal business hours, but it’s the most secure way to protect your mail.”
3. Never mail cash. If it was stolen, consider it lost.
4. If you expect to receive something of value in the mail, let the sender know when (and if) you received it. Similarly, if you’re sending something of value to someone, (partially) spoil the surprise and let them know the package is on its way.
5. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery so you know when your mail arrives.

To report mail theft or fraud, report it to local law enforcement and the US Postal Inspection Service by calling 877-876-2455 or by completing the form on their website .

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