BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office is investigating more theft cases, including identity and mail theft, "Particularly the mail theft, which is, historically, not something that we’ve seen a lot of around here. But, in the last few years - and even, I would say, in particular, in the last six months, we’ve seen a rise in mail theft cases," Chief Deputy DA Stephen Gunnels tells KBND News, "I think word gets around among thieves that that’s an easy way to steal someone’s identity."

Bend Police report officers investigated two reports of mail theft in the first six months of 2021, compared to four in the city in the past six months. 

He says it’s primarily a crime of opportunity, "For example, in rural areas, you have the mailbox that just opens and shuts and there’s no lock on it. Those are easy for thieves. Especially at night, if someone leaves their mail in the mailbox overnight. If you put a check in the mail to go out the next day, I would suggest that you not do that; that you wait until the next morning to put it out there for the mail carrier to pick it up." Gunnels adds, "There are just really obvious things that we see over and over again, where somebody gets ahold of your debit or credit card and they go into the store, they buy very expensive power tools in order to pawn them, so they can get cash. They order huge amounts of food at grocery stores; things like that. Until the person whose bank accounts are being exploited cancels their debit card or credit card."

There are simple things you can do to protect yourself: cancel lost or missing debit or credit cards right away, watch account statements and immediately report unauthorized purchases, and get a locking mailbox. Gunnels says thieves almost never target a locked box.