MAIL THEFT

Security of your mail and mail theft prevention

"Mail theft" like any theft of personal property can lead to financial loss and considerable inconvenience. Once Canada Post has delivered your mail, it becomes your personal property.

Mail theft prevention

Most people have their mail delivered to them by one of the following methods:

- Door-to-door delivery through mail slots or to outside mail receptacles.
- Delivery to community or group mailboxes.
- Delivery to apartment or business mailboxes.

Minimize the opportunities for mail theft by following a few simple steps:

- Pick up your mail as soon as possible after it's been delivered
- If you're planning a holiday, have someone pick up your mail on a daily basis or take advantage of Canada Post's Hold Mail service. For a small fee, Canada Post will keep your mail at the delivery office while you're away and deliver it upon your return.
- If you receive mail that's not yours, please don't leave it in an unprotected area. If the mail has been delivered incorrectly, please write, "delivered to wrong address" on the front of the envelope. If addressed to someone not living at your address, write "not at this address." In either case, deposit the mail into a red street letter box or the outgoing mail slot of your community mailbox at your earliest convenience.
- If you see suspicious activity, call police at 911.
- If you see that a mailbox has been overturned or vandalized, contact Canada Post at 1-800-267-1177.

Source:  Canada Post