At least a dozen instances of mail theft have already been reported in Saratoga this year. Several involved stolen identities used to open credit card accounts. Most were committed at night, but theft has occurred in broad daylight, as was the case with two female high school students caught stealing mail last year.

Capt. John Hirokawa of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department said identity theft is one of the most serious problems associated with stolen mail. Thieves can use information found in bills, bank statements, pre-approved credit card offers and other mail to open bank and credit card accounts, rent cars or equipment or make purchases that the victim will be charged for.

"Identity theft is now becoming more and more prevalent, because if you go to a bank and try to rob it, you're taking a chance of getting caught," Hirokawa said. "As criminals are becoming more sophisticated, they're finding out this is a good way of stealing."

Mary-Lynne Bernald said she had bank statements stolen from her Evans Road home late last year, which were returned when the sheriff's office conducted a bust of a local mail-theft ring. Though she said a credit check showed no unauthorized activity, she and several other neighbors who had mail stolen are taking precautions to avoid future theft.

"Unfortunately, I think identity theft has become the hot new way of making money," she said. "We now have lockable mailboxes."

According to Rodney Romero, officer-in-charge postmaster of the Saratoga main post office, locking boxes do prevent theft, but they can cause other delivery problems.

"People will get a locking box, but it doesn't have a slot," he said. "So if they don't pick their mail up one day, the carrier can't deliver their mail the next day, and we get the mail back."

Though he said the post office cannot endorse any particular brand of mailbox, Romero said residents should look for boxes that are approved by the postmaster general, and they are welcome to ask postal employees about a specific box before purchasing one. Any change to type or placement of a mailbox needs to be approved by the postmaster.

But some residents say they would rather monitor their mail than go through the hassle of purchasing a locking box. Evan Baker, an Obrad Drive resident and president of his homeowners association, said that because he is retired, he is home when mail arrives. He can bring in mail as soon as it is delivered and is also careful about how he sends mail.

"When I have major bills to pay, they don't go out in my mailbox, they go to the post office," Baker said. "And if we're away for even a weekend, we either stop the mail or have a neighbor pick it up for us. People don't think about that—they go away for two to four days and let the mail pile up."

Hirokawa, too, stressed the importance of retrieving mail as soon as possible and mailing any checks or sensitive information from a post office or postal box. He said that if checks or personal information are stolen, there are various agencies to help settle any financial problems, but that process can take a while.

"Once their identity has been taken, it could take them anywhere from 12 to 18 months to clear up their name," he said.

The prospect of having to restore credit history and recover any lost money is enough to make most people more vigilant in making sure their mail is safe. Romero said many postal customers are aware of the problem, but they need to make sure they keep their eyes open.

"Saratoga residents are pretty good about it," he said. "We have neighbors talking to neighbors if they observe any suspicious activity."

Alan Jarvie, Baker's neighbor on Obrad Drive, said he, too, is now more careful about sending and retrieving mail. But like Baker, he said he wouldn't be replacing his mailbox with a locking one anytime soon.

"That's something I don't want to have to do," he said.

BE CAREFUL—
DON'T BECOME
A VICTIM OF MAIL THEFT

Mail- and identity-theft-protection tips:

* Retrieve mail every day and as soon as possible after it is delivered.

* Choose a mailbox that can be locked from anyone but you and your letter carrier.

* Send any important or sensitive mail from a post office or postal box rather than placing it in your curbside mailbox.

* Rent a post office box from the main office on Allendale Avenue or the Village office on Big Basin Way near Saratoga­Los Gatos Road.

* If you see anyone other than a postal employee placing items in mailboxes, notify the Sheriff's Department. Distribution of fliers and other material in mailboxes is illegal and may be a cover for mail theft.

* Order a credit card report once a year from a credit-reporting agency such as Equifax, Experian or Trans-Union to check for unauthorized activity.