Michigan Mail Thieves Stealing Dozens of Pieces of Mail
A recent pair of Michigan mail thieves were stealing lots of mail from local residents’ mailboxes, and it was quite an operation. So, if you’ve ever worried about someone stealing your mail after putting a letter in the mailbox to send, or someone stealing your mail that’s been left too long in the mailbox, then know some of those fears are warranted.
Michigan Mail Thieves Get Caught
As someone who embraces the old-fashioned, I love getting real, tangible snail mail. There’s something comforting and very American about knowing that every household in America has their own mail delivered each day. Even when I’m out in rural Michigan, no matter how far apart the houses are, every house has a little mailbox, and Monday through Saturday, a post office employees stops by to deliver whatever mail is there. But, along with that nostalgia comes one of the oldest forms of theft: Michigan mailbox thieves.
Now, two people face 40 charges each for stealing mail in Delta Township, an area near Lansing, according to the Eaton County Prosecutor. The sheriff’s office has been investigating mail fraud for a while now in Delta Township, and residents noticed the theft of their mail throughout the area. The Eaton County Prosecutor arrested Amber Sperbeck and Michael Craig, and both of them are being charged with 39 counts of mail theft and one count of Improper Possession of an Absentee Ballot, which is a five-year felony. Sperbeck and Craig are both charged with the 39 counts of mail theft, and on top of that, Sperbeck has one previous offense, so Sperbeck’s charges are a felony punishable that could result in five years in prison. On the other hand, Craig is facing misdemeanor mail theft charges, which is punishable by one year in jail. The two suspects, and Michigan mail thieves, have been arraigned in the 56A District Court.
“Reports of mail theft have increased recently, and sadly have become rather common,” prosecutor Douglas R. Lloyd said in a statement regarding the Michigan mail thieves. “These thefts lead to further fraud and theft from our citizens, often without the victims realizing that they have been victimized. My office will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to protect the People of Eaton County and hold accountable those who prey on our citizens. I encourage my fellow Eaton County citizens: please do not hesitate to report suspicious activity to law enforcement; your eye and ears can be the key to stopping criminal activity in our communities.”
You Should Know These New Scams That Are Trending
Watch out for the new 'check cooking scam'
The AARP warns of a new scam called the “check cooking scam.” The AARP states, “In check cooking, thieves take a digital picture of a stolen check and then use commercially available software to alter it.” It can look super real, but it’s fake. So, how do you stay safe? “Consider using a safer payment method, such as a credit card,” they suggest.
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Look out for the 'delayed-action sweepstakes scam'
The AARP states also warns of a new sweepstakes scam where “instead of trying to get you to pay taxes or other fees in advance to collect the nonexistent prize, the scammers will ask for personal information so that they can validate you and set up the payout.” Just say no.
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Watch out for AI-powered scams
These days, AI scams are big. Experian.com says today, scammers use technology to “write more convincing and natural-sounding phishing emails and text messages.” They can also “Impersonate the victim’s friend or relative and ask for money as part of a grandparent scam.” It’s scary stuff. Beware of anything that sounds too crazy, as these can often seem far-fetched, but AI makes them look real.
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Beware of student loan forgiveness scams
Experian.com says that student loan forgiveness scams are on the rise. They note that, “scammers may contact you via phone or create phony application sites aimed at stealing your Social Security number or your bank account information.” Don’t give out your information. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
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Look out for the Paris Olympics scam
This one is really wild. With the games on the way, scammers can use the games to scam you. The AARP states, “A scammer hacks someone’s email account, and shortly after, all of that person’s contacts will receive the same message — something to the effect of, ‘Hey guys, I’m over in Paris and my wallet got stolen! Can anyone please help me out by sending gift cards or a Venmo deposit?”
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The best way to avoid scams
Whether the scam is new or old, the best way to avoid it is to stop and think about what’s happening. These scam artists are super good at what they do, but if you just stop for a moment and really think out any actions, you can avoid making a rash decision that could cost you.
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