Mail Theft On The Rise, Utah Law Protects Mail and Mailbox

Protecting Your Mail from Theft in Utah

In these challenging times, it seems like nothing is safe—not even your mailbox. Where we live, our mailboxes are clumped together and seem to be a theft magnet. I mean, it looks like wargs of Middle Earth have attacked them. Bent metal, doors that don't fit back into the box quite right, and what appear to be claw marks scratching the surface. With the economy putting pressure on people’s wallets, some individuals are taking desperate measures, including targeting our mailboxes. Let’s talk about what the law says in Utah and what steps you can take to protect your mail.

Mail theft is a serious offense. Under federal law, stealing mail is a felony, carrying hefty penalties including fines and prison time.

Utah doesn’t take this lightly either. Under Utah Code Section 76-6-1003, mail theft is a crime if someone knowingly and with the intent to deprive another person takes, destroys, hides, or embezzles mail. It can also be a crime if someone obtains mail by fraud or deception, or buys, receives, conceals, or possesses mail that they know or should have known was unlawfully obtained. If the mail contains the personal identifying information of ten or more people, mail theft is a second-degree felony.

Additionally, Utah Code Section 76-6-1002 outlines the statutes for damaging or destroying public mailboxes. Depending on the circumstances, prosecutors may also charge someone with Criminal Mischief under Section 76-6-106.

So, if you have seen damage done to your mailbox know that you have recourse here in Utah. Your mailbox should be a safe spot, not a treasure chest for thieves.