Pittsboro woman arrested in connection with Chatham County mail thefts
PITTSBORO N.C. (WTVD) -- The Chatham County Sheriff's Department has made an arrest in a string of five reported thefts in Pittsboro.
Deputies charged 48 year-old Rhonda Haithcox with one count of misdemeanor larceny on Monday. Her prior arrests include credit card theft, financial card fraud, and forgery, among others.
The Sheriff's department said they suspect at least 19 other cases of mail theft in the Chatham County and nine cases in Alamance and Guilford.
Chief Deputy Michael Roberson told ABC11 identity theft can sometimes come as a result of mail theft.
"They're trying to find out your Social Security numbers and your date of birth for identity theft, and maybe apply for credit cards and gift cards and that kind of thing," Roberson explained.
Pittsboro resident and daycare owner Amanda McGrane said she's a victim of the mail theft and that identity theft is what she's most worried about.
"We're trying to establish a business with credit and everything, and our personal credit as well, and it's scary that somebody can come and just take your personal information and do whatever they please with it," McGrane said.
She said she started to notice days where there would be no mail in her mailbox around mid-July and early August, and has since taken precautions.
"It's just concerning for us," McGrane said. "We decided to actually to put locking mailboxes at our personal home and our business just so we know our personal information is safe."
The Chatham County Sheriff's department is investigating with the US Post Office and asking anyone who believes they might be a victim to come forward and file a report with the Post Office.
File a mail theft complaint with the U.S. Post Office HERE.
Roberson said the community helped the department make an arrest by being able to provide a vehicle description.
Here are some tips provided from the Chatham County Sheriff's Department on spotting and guarding against mail theft:
- If you don't receive a check in the mail, or credit card, you were expecting call the issuing person or agency to find out if it was sent out.
- Tell the post office if you're going out of town so they can hold your mail.
- Don't mail cash.
- Pick up mail promptly. Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight.
- Pay attention to your neighborhood surroundings and report any suspicious vehicles.
