Document text
52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, May 11, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 29, 2004 Incidents of rural mail theft surge Recent spree probed as authorities warn about chance that identitiesmight be compromised By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune Pat Wolford spent about 10 hours on the telephone last week filing fraud alerts with credit agencies, trying to ensure that mail thieves weren’t using his name and personal information for their benefit. "My identity has been stolen," said Wolford, who lives on Rogue River Drive about midway between Eagle Point and Shady Cove. Last week, Wolford tried to mail off a license-renewal application to Driver and Motor Vehicle Services. The completed form included a list of personal information. Mail thieves went to Wolford’s traditional roadside front-opening mailbox, ripped open the envelope and then placed it inside another box down the street. "I’m really worried," Wolford said. "They could have grabbed my address, Social Security number and driver’s license information. It’s not like I can just go and change my Social Security number." Advertisement Wolford is not alone in his predicament. Jackson County sheriff’s Capt. Joe Puckett said police are investigating several cases of mail theft occurring this month in rural areas in and around Sams Valley. "It’s really unfortunate," Puckett said. "If somebody goes on a spree like this, they can cause a lot of problems for people and rack up a lot of money for themselves." Mark Weiss, postmaster at the Eagle Point post office, said "at least" 75 area residents have had their mail stolen in recent weeks. "We’re finding it all over the place," said Weiss. In some cases, mail addressed to Shady Cove and White City residents has ended up in the mailboxes of people living in the Eagle Point area, he said. "It’s been really bad — probably the worst it’s ever been," added Trudy Tepper, the post office’s head clerk. While the most recent wave of mail thefts has targeted Sams Valley residents, people living in other rural areas of Jackson County have also been victimized. Police say that in many instances, mail thieves look for isolated mailboxes like Wolford’s, seeking documents containing personal financial information. Last year in Shady Cove, nearly 30 residents had their mail taken in a string of thefts. The case was cracked in December, when police arrested Harold Dean Leventry on theft charges after finding a box of checks inside his car that belonged to someone else. A search warrant of Leventry’s home revealed "a box full of shredded mail" that had been taken from others’ mailboxes, said Carlos Adams, Shady Cove’s acting police chief. Around that same time, Rogue River police were investigating another set of mail thefts where "seven or eight" city residents were victimized, police Chief Ken Lewis said. A juvenile girl was arrested in connection with the thefts. And in January, sheriff’s deputies found about 30 pieces of discarded mail off Carpenter Hill Road, between Medford and Phoenix. Most of the mail was addressed to people living on Griffin Lane and Griffin Creek Road. Tepper, the Eagle Point postal clerk, said she’s encouraging people to get a locking mailbox. Wolford said he’s considered the idea, but doesn’t want to pay for a new box. Instead, he figures on making regular stops at the post office in Eagle Point — a nine-mile drive for him. "I guess I have to mail anything with personal information from the post office," Wolford said. "That’s really a pain, especially with gas prices the way they are." Preventive measures Police recommend several strategies for keeping sensitive or financial information out of the hands of thieves who target mailboxes. If possible, obtain a locking mailbox. A post office box is even safer. Have checks delivered to your local bank branch. Do not mail checks or other items containing personal information from your home mailbox. Take outgoing mail to a locking collection box or the post office. Pick up your mail as soon as it is delivered. If leaving on vacation, have the post office hold your mail until you return. Victims of mail theft should contact police. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times