Security & Fraud

Canada Post must take initiative

In a report to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Attorney General of the United States prepared in October 2004 by the Bi-national Working Group on Cross-Border Mass Marketing Fraud, it is stated that identity thieves have been known to break into collection boxes to steal outgoing mail from residential mailboxes.

The report states that in some cases, identity thieves can amass large quantities of mail simply by driving along roads and removing mail from each roadside mailbox .

Criminals regard both incoming and outgoing mail as a potential target for identity theft. Incoming mail, for example may contain solicitations for "pre-approved", credit cards. Thieves know how to convert these forms into straight cash and can double up their take by apprehending outgoing mail and collecting personal information.

Recentlyresidents of an upscale subdivision were livid when they found out their community mailboxes were violated.Adding fuel to the fire, the violation happened six weeks ago with a suspected counterfeit key. Why were the 100-plus residents not informed of the violation. The Post Office spokesman confirmed that it was a breach of policy not to notify people when mail has been stolen.

But how about addressing the breach of security issue?How many more times are citizens going to be the recipients of mail theft because ofinadequate postallocks. Locks that unfortunately not only permit access into residential mailboxes but also allow passageway into several apartment buildings as well. This creates a breach ofsecurity every time a postal key is lost, stolen or reproduced.

How many more times are citizens going to be the recipients of mail theft. Theft that can be avoided witha little initiative from Canada Post. Initiative like upgrading its current locking system from the stone age to the 21st century.

I'm not talking about switching one archaic lock for another, they've done enough of that to no avail. Their current method of changing locks when a violation occurs, does not prevent counterfeit keys from being made. You can't replace one antiquated lock with another and expect results. This type of backwards thinking is costing the citizens of Canada hundreds of thousands of dollarsa year in mail theft.

The answer lies in the hands of modern day technology. Canada Post should replace their current locks with more technical high security locks. Locks that don't lend themselves to counterfeit, lost or stolen keys. Locks that can be reprogrammed immediately if a breach of security is detected.

If you do suspect your mail has been tampered with or stolen I have supplied a checklist of things you should do immediately:

1) Contact police to report violation and ask for a copy of the report or case number.

2) Contact the local Human Resources Canada Center for assistance or contact the SIN Call Center at 1-800-206-7218 (E) or 1-800-808-6352 (F) and select option #3. Outside Canada call (506) 548-7961.

3) Notify your bank and creditors immediately by phone and in writing.

4) Report to Canada Post any irregularities that you have observed in the delivery of your mail (for example, opened envelopes, missing financial statements, promised documents etc.)

5) Contact the following two major credit agencies to inform them that your SIN and other personal information have been stolen.

Equifax 1-800-465-7166 www.equifax.ca

Trans Union1-800-663-9980www.tuc.ca

Please e-mail your security questions to Fourchalk@telus.net.