Chief Watson investigates mail thefts

A string of mail thefts spanning across three counties last week has launched a multi-jurisdictional investigation.

The Bonners Ferry Police Department, Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police and Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office joined forces the week of Dec. 12, after discovering a massive amount of stolen mail belonging to individuals residing in all three counties.

According to Bonners Ferry Police Chief Vic Watson, 36 individuals in Boundary County — 30 residents living within city limits — were the victims of mail theft and potentially identity theft.

“We are contacting the victims this week and returning what is left of their mail,” Watson said. “It looks like the individuals who did this were predominately after Christmas cards — looking for money, gift cards, checks, etc. ­— though, in some cases, we did discover what appears to be envelopes that may have had credit or debit cards in them.”

Watson said the cooperating agencies do have suspects and are close to making arrests. The suspects could be facing at least 36 counts of grand theft in Boundary County alone. The number of victims in Kootenai and Bonner counties were unknown at the time of press. Mail theft is a federal and state offense.

Watson encourages residents to be vigilant about monitoring their mail boxes, especially around the holidays. He said that he is concerned because none if the victims reported the thefts, with the exception of a few who had locked boxes which had been pried open.

“In some cases, the suspects drove from house to house, all along the same streets, and stole mail right out in front of the homes — as if maybe they were following the mail carrier,” Watson said. “I’m surprised that none of the victims or their neighbors noticed.”

Watson said the department discovered important documents, including bank statements, and in one case, a final payoff notice from a bank to a homeowner.

Because credit cards were found missing, victims in these cases should immediately contact their banking institution and file a non receipt of issue fraud claim. The compromised card will be blocked from further use and victims should request that a fraud block be placed on their account. Individuals should also report that their identity has been compromised and the banking institution will red flag the account.

Chief Watson said he will provide a police report number to those individuals so that they can give it to their banking institution.

Victims that suffered from credit or debit card fraud should also provide law enforcement with their banking information so that investigators can contact the bank and conduct a full investigation with fraud op specialists. Transactions or attempted transactions can be tracked down to times and locations and, in most cases, video surveillance can be obtained of the suspects using or attempting to use the victim’s credit or debit card.

Watson said that there were numerous Christmas cards that had been opened, which indicates that either cash or checks may have been stolen. Victims who were expecting a check should notify the sender. If the suspects cashed or attempted to cash the check, the bank will have documentation of the time and location of the attempt, which in turn may provide law enforcement with video surveillance.

Victims of legitimate credit or debit card fraud are not financially liable for monetary losses.

All of the mail theft victims should contact the three major credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — and report that their identification has been compromised. The credit bureaus will red flag the accounts and monitor them for suspicious activity.