More mail theft in Clovis as tax filing season approaches
CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – With the approach of the tax filing season, the Clovis Police Department says mail theft is on the rise.
“It is very serious because it’s one of those events that continue to haunt people for years and years,” said Jim Koch with the Clovis Police Department.
So far this year the department has received 47 calls for mail theft.
The latest was Thursday morning at a mailbox off of Karen and Sample Avenues.
When Manny Joaquin walked by the mailbox around 7 a.m., everything was fine. But when he returned three hours later, everything was missing.
“This side here was open and it looks like it wasn’t forced it looked like somebody had a key to gain entry,” said Joaquin.
Joaquin says this is the fourth time the mailbox has been broken into over the last year.
“I’ve adapted by checking the mail every single day even if we get home late and I do not want to get the mail, this has occurred way too often,” said Joaquin.
Susan Bradley is a Certified Public Accountant with Tamiyasu, Smith, Horn, and Braun.
She says the increased risk of having personal information stolen in the mail is why she encourages all her clients to file their taxes with them online.
“It’s so much easier to get information digitally…. We actually have a portal that we use that they upload securely,” said Bradley.
She says those who believe their identity has been stolen should contact the IRS immediately and apply for a social security pin for extra protection.
“They file an affidavit and they give you what is called an identity theft pin to e-file your return,” said Bradley.
You can also enroll for an elective identity theft PIN through the IRS by clicking here.
