How to Report Mail Theft & Identity Theft to Postal Inspectors
Stolen mail or a fraudulent change of address? Report it free to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and your Postmaster — here's how, step by step.
This report is for mail-related fraud — and it's completely free
If a thief stole your mail, intercepted new credit cards or statements, or quietly filed a change-of-address form in your name, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is the right federal agency to contact. Mail theft is a federal crime. This report is free and most people can file it online in minutes.
Do I need this report?
Report to the Postal Inspectors if any of these apply to you:
- •Mail stopped arriving without your knowledge
- •You received a USPS confirmation for an address change you did not file
- •New credit cards, checks, or account statements never arrived
- •A thief used stolen mail (account numbers, checks) to commit fraud
- •You believe someone filed a fraudulent change-of-address form in your name
Change-of-address fraud is rising fast
Fraudulent change-of-address filings jumped from about 8,857 cases in 2020 to more than 23,606 in 2021, partly because USPS historically required little identity verification to file a change. Thieves redirect your mail to intercept credit cards, checks, and financial statements. If you suspect it, report it promptly.
How to report — step by step
Option 1: File online (easiest)
- 1Go to mailtheft.uspis.gov.
- 2Select “Identity Theft” from the complaint type options. Or go directly to the identity theft / fraudulent change-of-address form.
- 3Fill out the form describing what happened. Include dates, what mail went missing, and any accounts you know were compromised.
- 4Submit the form. Save or print your confirmation number.
Option 2: File by phone
Call 1-877-876-2455 and press 4 to report mail fraud to a U.S. Postal Inspector. Free. Available Monday through Friday during business hours.
Option 3: Contact your local Postmaster
If mail has stopped arriving or you think a fraudulent address change was filed at your local branch, visit or call your local post office and ask to speak with the Postmaster. They can look up whether an address change was filed for your address and, if so, reverse it.
Why this report helps
- ✓Mail theft and fraudulent address changes are federal crimes — a postal report triggers a real federal investigation.
- ✓It creates an official record that corroborates your FTC report and police report with credit bureaus and creditors.
- ✓Reporting quickly can stop a thief from continuing to intercept your mail.
- ✓A postal investigation may identify the thief, which helps your overall case.
Helpful resources
What to do next
- •If you have not yet filed an FTC report, do that first: File your FTC Identity Theft Report →
- •With your FTC affidavit in hand, file a police report to complete your Identity Theft Report.
- •See the full plan: Master Reporting Guide →
Fraudulent accounts or credit errors after mail theft?
If a thief used stolen mail to open accounts in your name and the credit bureaus are not removing them, contact our consumer-protection attorneys. The FCRA gives you powerful rights — and our attorneys work on contingency.
Contact an FCRA attorneyThis page provides general information only and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page.