Local banks are notifying their customers to take caution and protect your personal assets. With more people staying at home and ordering online instead of shopping in person, thieves have more of an incentive than ever to target your mailbox.

Here are some tips to help protect yourself or your business this season.

Go paperless – Now’s the time to make this switch to online statements, bill pay, and e-bills. Not only are they safer than their paper counterparts, but they’re better for the environment too!

Stay in the know – Setting alerts can help you better manage your account while also giving you peace of mind that no one else is accessing your money. After you’ve logged in to digital banking go to settings, select alerts, and then choose the alerts you wish to receive.

Send mail securely – Whether you’re paying a bill or sending a check to a loved one, make sure you’re using a secure mailbox, like your local post office or USPS drop box. It may not be as convenient as your mailbox at home, but it will help ensure your money doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Track your deliveries – Don’t be a victim of porch pirates. If you’re expecting something in the mail, make sure you know exactly when your items will arrive and be ready to pick them up. USPS, FedEx and UPS all have their own delivery notification services that you can enroll in to track and manage deliveries.

Report misuse – If you see or are a victim of mail fraud/theft, it is important to report that information to the USPS so they can start an investigation on your behalf.

Safeguard your business – If you’re a business owner, many of these best practices still apply, but also it’s important to establish additional fraud mitigation strategies to protect your business.

Source: How to Avoid Holiday Mail Fraud | TCF Bank