Mail and Post Theft
Stolen letters and parcels can reveal bank details, new cards, ID documents and personal data. What criminals look for in your post, warning signs of mail theft, and how to protect it.
Even in a digital world, post carries some of our most sensitive information: new bank cards and PINs, statements, tax letters, ID documents and credit offers. Mail theft is a simple, low-tech route to identity fraud, and it is especially common in shared buildings and when people move house.
What criminals look for
- New bank cards and PIN letters
- Statements with account numbers
- Tax and benefit letters
- Passports, ID cards and driving licences sent by post
- Pre-approved credit offers they can apply for in your name
Warning signs
- Expected cards, documents or statements not arriving.
- Letters about accounts you did not open.
- A notice that your post is being redirected, which you did not request.
- Your mailbox looks tampered with.
If a new card or PIN does not arrive when expected, call your bank immediately to cancel it and check whether your address has been changed.
How to protect your post
- Use a secure, lockable mailbox, especially in shared buildings.
- Collect post promptly, and ask someone to collect it when you are away.
- Switch to paperless statements, secured with strong passwords and two-step verification.
- Opt out of pre-approved credit offers where your country allows.
- When moving, set up official mail forwarding and update your address with banks and services yourself.
- Shred documents before throwing them away. See shredding documents.
If you suspect mail theft
- Contact your bank and card providers.
- Contact your postal service to check for redirections.
- Check your credit record for new accounts. See checking your credit record.
- Report to the police and your postal service.
- Consider a fraud alert or protective registration.
Got a letter or text about a parcel or account you do not recognise? Paste the text into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.
For more, read about protecting your identity in our complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are signs my mail is being stolen?
Expected letters or cards not arriving, statements stopping, or mail being redirected to another address without your request.
What is mail redirection fraud?
When a criminal asks the postal service to redirect your post to another address, so they receive your bank letters and new cards.
What should I do if a new card never arrived?
Contact your bank immediately to cancel it and check for use. Ask whether your address details have been changed.
Sources
- What To Know About Identity Theft, US Federal Trade Commission
- How To Stop Junk Mail, US Federal Trade Commission
- Protective Registration, Cifas (UK)
