The Greenville News reports on dozens of cases of mail fraud in South Carolina

Federal postal inspectors said that more than 50 people in South Carolina have been arrested for stealing mail or documents and committing mail fraud and identity theft. Postal inspectors say decline in the economy and increase in unemployment in Upstate South Carolina has added to the problem of mail fraud and ID theft.

KEY POINTS IN THE STORY, originally reported here:

• Criminals stole mail to commit identity theft
• Postal inspector says down economy has caused increase in “financial crimes” like mail-identity theft
• Range of charges include ID theft, mail fraud, mail theft, embezzlement, fraud and forgery
• Mail thieves are drug users who steal identities to support their habits
• I-85 Corridor has more high prevalence of meth users
• It is easy for criminals to steal from a mailbox and create an identity
• Residents shouldn’t leave mail in mailboxes