The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to take steps to protect themselves from mail theft during the holiday season.

A surge in mail theft occurs every year during the two to three weeks leading up to Christmas, said Dan Bender, spokesman with the Sheriff’s Office. Thieves are interested in checks, cash, gifts and items residents may be sending at this time of year, he said.

“We are encouraging people to close the barn door now before the horses get out, or the Grinches begin stealing your Christmas,” he said in a news release.

In addition to valuables, thieves are interested in identity theft. Mail theft also surges during March and April when income tax refunds are mailed, Bender said.

The most popular targets tend to be rural areas where mailboxes are clustered in rows, he said. The clusters near subdivisions allow thieves to hit dozens of mailboxes in one stop. In some cases, entire banks of boxes have been ripped out of the ground using a chain and dragged off by a vehicle to be ransacked at a more secluded location, Bender said.

Residents can reduce the chance of becoming a victim by:

Not putting outgoing mail, especially checks and other mail with personal account information, in their mailbox. Instead, drop the mail in a secure U.S. Postal Service box.

If a personal mailbox is the only option, putting mail in as close as possible to the time the carrier makes pickups.

Removing incoming mail as soon as possible after drop-offs.

Never leaving mail in a mailbox overnight.

Anyone who suspects mailbox theft can call Crimestoppers 24 hours a day at 247-1112.

shane@durangoherald.com