Clovis police seeing increase in mail theft as tax season begins

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of mailboxes in the Clovis community of Deauville Circle were wiped out Monday. It's a trend in mail theft that Clovis Police are seeing more of lately.

"Right now, we have seen an uptick in mail theft," said Sgt. Jim Koch. "I don't know if it can be attributed to the tax season or just a trend that's going on right now."

One neighbor said she had three pieces of tax-related mail stolen with social security information.

RELATED: 5 tax changes that can boost your refund this year

"Just because you have a locked mailbox, whether it's a residential or business one, people are still breaking into those mailboxes," said Sgt. Koch.

As tax season gets underway, more documents with personal information are inundating the mail system right now. That's why Clovis Police are recommending you check the mail daily.

"So that if you are a victim of a theft, you aren't getting a week's worth of mail taken," said Sgt. Koch.

The department also advises registering for Informed Delivery through the US Postal Service. It's a snapshot of what's coming to your mailbox -- straight to your e-mail inbox. It's a heads up, so you know if something is missing.

Clovis PD is also urging people to report any mail-related theft immediately because it could help officers act fast.

Over the summer, a theft report that came in quickly helped police catch up with thieves as they littered the road with stolen mail while on the run.

RELATED: 2 women accused of stealing hundreds of pieces of mail from Clovis neighborhood

One document that parents can expect to receive this year is an IRS mailing known as Letter 6419, which pertains to 2021's Advanced Child Tax Credit.

It was paid out from July through December.

For more information on Informed Delivery, click here.