Updated: Thu Jun. 19 2008 15:27:10

ctvbc.ca

Despite knowing about the threat of identity theft from improperly secured mail as early as 2003, Canada Post waited years to start changing the locks on its mailboxes, CTV News has learned.

Even now, the company has replaced only about one third of the mailbox locks in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, its security staff said, leaving many open to break-ins from easily forged keys.

"The locks were a very archaic type lock, what I would almost call a stone age type lock," said locksmith Frank Fourchalk, who found forged keys in the locks he was called to fix.

With one key, it's easy to open banks of mailboxes and help yourself to mail -- bank statements, credit card applications, and bills, he said.

It's a feast for an identity thief, who needs to get their hands on only a fraction of that number in order to con banks and steal money -- and then make an easy living of thousands of dollars a day.

"You can just help yourself to it," said Fourchalk.

But Jag Sumra, head of security for Canada Post in B.C., said his company was doing a good job keeping the mail secure.

"I'm very satisfied," said Sumra. "I couldn't be in a better position than I am now."

Canada Post balked at the expense of securing its system in 2003, when a bust of stolen mail prompted CTV News to interview a company spokesman.

"There are 500,000 boxes in the country and to change them all would be a horrendous price -- you can't do that," said Bob Taylor, a spokesman for Canada Post then.

Three years later, Taylor told CTV News that mail was safe: "The integrity of the system is not in question."

But later that year, Canada Post began an ambitious $39-million program of securing mailboxes -- a program that if it keeps going at the current rate will finish by 2012.

The company also doesn't know the extent of the problem of mail theft, because it only keeps statistics of undelivered mail, not of stolen mail.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service -- an arm of law enforcement dedicated to protecting the integrity of the American postal system -- puts the amount of stolen mail on its website.

Without keeping track of the stolen mail, it's very difficult to investigate the problem of mail theft, said U.S. Postal Inspector John Murphy.

"We keep track of stolen mail because we care about our customers," he said.

Canada Post told CTV News that once mail has been delivered, it's not the agency's responsibility any longer -- meaning that the company downloads the investigation to local law enforcement.

"The Canada Post Corporation guards mail from the time it is posted to the time it is delivered," said Sumra. "Once it is in a mailbox, it is no longer mail, it is personal property."

The U.S. Postal Inspectors take a different view, said Murphy.

"Once the mail gets in the system and has a name on it, it gets to that person, once that person gets the mail we're satisfied we've done our job," he said.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Jonathan Woodward

Please Add Comments(7)

K Dosanjh
The banks are a major part of the problem and at least as guilty as the identity thiefs. They issue credit cards to identity thiefs without verifying any information at all. They know they can pass on their losses to their customers and apparently even refuse to provide information to the police forces. The consumer is the real victim of their failiure to do due diligence. Please investigate their role in this crime further.

Henry Lorteau
I personally think that canada post really doesn't care about the paying public as long as the mail gets out of there grasp.

Jugga
I am appalled at the poor reporting and research conducted by this reporter. He should know that the laws in Canada and the US are different, and mail theft is a joint responsibility between the Police, Customers and Canada Post.

The Canada Post Act limits Canada Post Investigators to what and how far they can investigate mail thefts. According to the Canada Post Act once mail has been delivered (PLACED INTO CUSTOMER BOX) it is no longer mail, at this point it becomes personal property and now becomes a theft of personal property, which is a Police issue.

If the Laws in this country were different and similar to the US then the criminals would less likely target mail. The real problem is drugs, which cause the criminals who are usually meth addicts to conduct this type of activity.

Changing locks will not resolve the problem if a person wants to break into a mail box or your house, not matter what type of lock you have installed the person will get in!

The real solution is tougher laws and sentencing by our legal system! If these criminals are released immediately after being caught and the judges do not enforce stiffer sentencing this problem will continue!

The real story CTV should be reporting on is the failure of our Legal System and not berating Canada Post!!!

I encourage everyone who reads this article to write to their MP’s to change the laws of this country so Law Enforcement personnel can fight these types of crimes more effectively.

Simi
I have watched CTV for the last week in regards to your identity theft coverage and I am very dissapointed that you showed potential crooks how to steal and commit identity theft. There was no information what is actually been done by Police and Canada Post to prevent Identity theft.There was no information given to the public to keep their mail safe guarded from theft. I do realized that Canada Post is responsible for mail up to delivery, but I personally feel that identity theft can be prevented in most cases. People through out mail without shredding, they leave mail in their mailboxes all day and sometime don't pick up mail daily. Identity theft is not only mail, but also via computer. I feel Canada Post does a good job. Maybe the Canadian Government should change the laws and make "mail" a property of Canada Post til it is in the posession of the persons hands.

We should be focussing on the people that are stealing the mail and cracking down on the ones that are doing the actual identity theft verses saying Canada Post is not protecting our mail. Companies can go so far. It is the publics responsibility to take ownership of their mail once it is delivered and that part is the unsecured part that is all of our concern.

Your negative spin on Canada Post shows you really haven't searched your story, if you had, you would learn all the good things Canada Post is doing to protect the mail.

You should have asked Canada Post, what they have done and not just how much mail is stolen. Your story seems to suggest that all identity theft crimes are from stolen mail, you should know better by now that is not the case.

What was your reasoning for showing video of crook stealing mail from US? How does that relate to Canada?

By putting on a negative spin on Canada Post I feel is not going to resolve an issue that is important to all Canadians. I don't think comparing Canada and the US was really significant.

This problem of identity theft is a world wide issue so I am sure if anyone can find a way to combat this issue, it would be Canada.

You made it sound like the US has NO identity theft problems or locks that have been comprimised, which I highly doubt.

I really do feel that we as the general public can do more to protect ourselves and the media can help by not showing crooks how to commit identity theft. We should be focussing on the positive and giving the public tips to protect themselves from being a victim of this crime.

Thank you for listening.

Donny
I have no faith in postal workers.....

The complex I live in they have other peoples mail in your box and others get your mail....You report it to Canada Post and they do nothing!!!!!

I recall a postal worker caught on camera stealing someones mail....

I find the signs on the Postal Union Office in New Westminster disgusting....How do U think we will get honest people delivering mail when they have a bunch of NDP'er running the union...All they need to do is hire honest, English speaking people to do the job...Canada Post puts up with everything and anything...I don't think they screen their staff..anyone will do!!!...

lucky me
the secret is to not have any money in your bank account and to have poor credit.

just try and apply for a credit card with my information! good luck

Tate
Now I know why I watch Global. Hard to believe you expect the public to believe some squiggly white line is the voice of an identity thief. Very Scintillating t.v. Making easy targets out of RBC and Canada Post is just lazy journalism. Why would any company talk to your reporters if you put people on tv only to make them look as bad as possible. You didn't shed any light on the issue. Very superficial and one side reporting. What a joke.