LYNNWOOD — A mail theft investigation in Lynnwood has turned up dozens of victims.
Police arrested a woman Thursday and booked her into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of forgery, identity theft and nine counts of possessing stolen property.
The stolen mail was found in a black Jeep Cherokee the woman was driving July 24.
Armed with a court order, police searched the vehicle July 28 and recovered the bags of mail.
“We are estimating between 40 and 50 victims,” Lynnwood police Cmdr. Jim Nelson said.
In an initial search of some of the bags, police found financial documents belonging to more than 15 people, including Lake Stevens and Snohomish residents. The documents included billing statements from credit card companies, which listed individual account numbers and victim names and addresses.
Police also found at least eight debit and credit cards belonging to different people.
They recovered a rent check and what police believe was a forged check for $1,200 written out to the suspect.
The woman, 27, allegedly told police that she uses methamphetamine and admitted possessing the stolen mail.
The arrest is a sign of the times, Nelson said.
“It’s pretty prevalent everywhere,” he said. “There is no safe haven.”
The fraud often leaves victims to face years of trying to restore their name and credit.
People can take precautions.
Nelson recommends locked mail boxes, cutting up unused credit cards and shredding paperwork with financial information.
“You have to protect yourself,” he said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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