What the Tech: Informed delivery
If you’re one of the more than 72 million Americans already using USPS Informed Delivery, you know how convenient it can be. Every morning, the Postal Service sends subscribers an email with scanned images of the letter-size mail arriving that day, along with tracking for packages. It’s a great way to see if a bill, check, or important document is on its way — and to skip a trip to the mailbox if it’s just junk.
But criminals have figured out a way to use Informed Delivery as a tool for mail theft. And if you haven’t signed up for the service yourself, you may be leaving the door open for someone else to do it in your name.
How the Scam Works
In several documented cases — including one in Michigan that led to the arrest of seven people — thieves signed up unsuspecting victims for Informed Delivery without their knowledge. Here’s how it typically happens:
- Gathering your personal information – Criminals collect your name, address, and sometimes answers to common security questions from stolen mail, phishing, or data breaches.
- Enrolling in Informed Delivery – They visit the USPS website and register using your address.
- Passing identity verification – In some cases, they guess security answers or intercept the verification letter sent to your mailbox.
- Receiving your daily mail previews – Once enrolled, they see exactly when valuable mail — like credit cards, checks, or personal documents — is scheduled for delivery.
- Stealing the item – They grab the mail from your box before you even know it has arrived.
Why This Matters Now
Mail theft is on the rise. Postal Inspectors say complaints have jumped more than 300 percent in recent years. In 2023 alone, they made more than 1,500 arrests for mail theft, and federal agencies say losses from stolen checks reached hundreds of millions of dollars. Criminals are increasingly targeting both mailboxes and the keys postal carriers use to access them.
How USPS Has Responded
The Postal Service has tightened security for new signups, requiring more robust identity checks and mailing a letter to the address on file whenever someone tries to enroll it. Still, the safest move is to sign up for Informed Delivery yourself before a criminal has the chance.
How to Protect Yourself
- Sign up now – Go to USPS.com, click on Informed Delivery, and create an account. You’ll need to verify your identity online or in person at your post office.
- Check your daily email – Make sure you recognize all of the mailpieces shown.
- Report missing mail immediately – If something in your preview doesn’t show up, contact USPS right away.
- Secure your mailbox – Consider a locking mailbox to make theft harder.
Informed Delivery is free, easy to use, and offers peace of mind. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about protecting your mail, your identity, and your home address from criminals who know exactly when to strike.
