Baltimore County Business Owner Discovers Stolen Mail in Dumpster: A Growing Problem of Mail Theft

Over the weekend, a business owner in Baltimore County made an unusual discovery when he found two boxes full of mail in a dumpster behind his store that weighed nearly 30 pounds. Steve Ennis, the owner of GoFish, was surprised by the finding. He mentioned that it was a lot of mail, and the situation was a mystery to him.

Ennis stumbled upon the mail while going for a walk on Sunday behind his business. It seemed like someone had carelessly thrown the mail into the dumpster. Mail theft has been on the rise, with over 250,000 complaints last year compared to fewer than 60,000 in 2018, as reported by CBS News. Ennis recalled the time when people were taught not to mess with mailboxes because it was a federal offense.

Not knowing what to do with the mail, Ennis reached out to WJZ for help. The U.S. Postal Service advised that customers in such situations should file a report with the Postal Service Inspector General. Ennis mentioned that he would be following this guidance as he felt it was not his place to keep or discard the mail.

Ennis expressed his concern about the situation and emphasized that the mail was not his responsibility. He vowed to contact someone to ensure that the mail reaches its rightful recipients. To report such incidents to the U.S. Postal Service Inspector General, individuals can visit their website for guidance.

The discovery of stolen mail is becoming more common these days as thieves look for easy targets like unattended homes or businesses left open during delivery times.

In recent years, there has been an increase in reported cases of stolen mail across various cities and states worldwide.

According to data from USPS’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), there were over 250,00 complaints filed last year compared to fewer than 60,000 in 2018.

Mail theft can lead to identity theft and financial loss if personal information is exposed or stolen checks are cashed without authorization.

To protect themselves from mail theft, individuals are encouraged to collect their packages immediately after receiving them and avoid leaving their homes or businesses unattended during delivery times.

If you suspect your mail has been stolen or intercepted during delivery times, it’s essential to report it immediately so that appropriate action can be taken against whoever is responsible for stealing it.

It’s crucial to take measures like keeping your home or business securely locked when leaving them unattended and being vigilant about monitoring your bank accounts and credit reports regularly.