Recent mail thefts in the area have prompted the U.S. Post Office to warn Oxford residents to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and take precautions with their mail.
According to Oxford Postmaster Joe Wilson, three incidents of mail theft have occurred since late July.
The first involved mail stolen from residences in Lake Orion and found dumped near Baldwin and Seymour Lake roads, Wilson said. The mail was found both opened and unopened
Wilson said the next two incidents occurred in August and involved mail taken from a cluster of about 100 temporary mailboxes located on Fountainview in the Waterstone subdivision.
Clusters of temporary boxes are used in new subdivisions still under construction, Wilson said. ‘We can only deliver to the houses when the subdivision is 50 percent developed,? the postmaster said.
Opened and unopened mail from the cluster of mailboxes on Fountainview was found on Dominican Sisters property on W. Drahner, according to Wilson
Wilson said a few weeks later it was discovered all the mailboxes on Fountainview had been opened and left that way. Some mail, both opened and unopened, was found scattered on the ground near the boxes, the postmaster said.
Wilson said there are no indications as to why the mail is being stolen.
‘I have no idea what they’re looking for,? he said.
There’s ‘no pattern? as to what mail is being stolen and what’s being opened, Wilson said.
‘It seems to be very random,? he said. ‘All types of mail were opened.?
Because identity theft is a possible motive for these mail thefts, Wilson said residents worried about it can obtain information about their credit from credit reporting agencies at the following numbers: 1-888-397-3742; 1-800-525-6285; and 1-800-680-7289. Residents can also log on to the identity theft hotline at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
In light of these mail thefts, residents are being advised to take precautions.
‘Don’t leave mail in the box overnight,? Wilson said. ‘Take it out during the day . . . Mail sitting in the boxes is in danger.?
‘As far as I know these boxes are being hit at night,? the postmaster noted. ‘Please make sure you pull the mail out of your box every night.?
‘If you’re going on vacation, let us know so we can hold your mail and it doesn’t sit in the box,? Wilson said.
Wilson also advised residents to not put outgoing mail in their home boxes for pick up by postal carriers. ‘Use the blue (postal collection) boxes,? he said. ‘There are three in the area plus the ones in front of the post office (on E. Burdick St.).?
The Oxford postmaster indicated the biggest help residents can provide is to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity near mailboxes and immediately report it to the Postal Inspection Service at (313) 226-8184 or the local police.
‘We’re really hoping someone sees something and we get a tip,? he said.
‘Keep your eyes open and your mailboxes empty,? Wilson said. ‘That the best preventative measure people can take at this point.?