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United States
Postal Inspection Service
Protecting Yourself From Mailbox Vandalism |
Rural area mailboxes are vulnerable to vandalism because they are usually isolated,
located on public thoroughfares, and frequently not visible to the box owners from their
homes. City residential mailboxes are vandalized to a lesser degree.
Mailboxes are considered federal property, and federal law (Title 18, United States
Code, Section 1705), makes it a crime to vandalize them (and to injure, deface or destroy
any mail deposited in them). Violators can be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned for up to
three years for each act of vandalism.
You can take the following actions to help prevent the vandalizing or destruction of
your mailbox and any mail that may be inside it:
- Immediately report theft, tampering with, or destruction of mail and mailboxes to your
local postmaster. You will be asked to complete PS Form 1510, Mail Loss and Rifling Report,
or PS Form 2016, Mail Theft and Vandalism Complaint. These forms help the Postal Inspection
Service determine whether your problem is isolated or one frequently experienced in your
neighborhood.
- Remove your mail from your mailbox as soon as possible after its delivery. Allowing
mail to pile up for several days only tempts would-be vandals and thieves. If it is
impossible for you to pick up your mail right after delivery, and you have been
experiencing problems with mailbox vandalism or mail theft, consider renting a post office
box, which will provide a secure method of delivery. You may find your peace of mind is
worth the small rental fee.
- Obtain Label 33 from the Postal Inspection Service. This sticker, which warns that
willful damage to mail boxes and theft of mail is a crime, can be affixed to your mailbox.
- If you discover someone tampering with your or your neighbor's mailbox, obtain that
person's description and that of his vehicle, including the license plate number.
Immediately report the information to your local police and postmaster.
- Keep your mailbox in good repair by using proper installation methods. This may help
prevent theft of the mailbox itself.
If you have information on mailbox vandalism or mail theft in your area, contact the Postal
Inspection Service with your information. Your cooperation helps apprehend violators. We
attempt to publicize our successful investigations of mailbox vandalism to deter other
potential vandals. You may provide your information and complaints to your local postmaster
or the nearest Postal Inspector.
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