Guest Commentary: Be cautious of holiday fraud, theft

This has not been a normal holiday season because nothing in the world is normal anymore as we try to outlive the pandemic that has taken over our world.

But because we do more from home these days and we are in the middle of the holiday season, we want to remind our residents that crime is still in existence and we must remain cautious. More and more residents will send checks in the mail — not just for paying their monthly bills but also as gifts to relatives living in other states.

The Sun City West Posse asks you to be especially vigilant at this time of year. Checks are so easily stolen from mail boxes. This is a crime of convenience. How long does it take the “bad guys” to pull a letter out of a mailbox and be on their way within a matter of seconds without anyone being aware that a federal crime has just been committed?

Please do not, for your own security, put letters in your box containing checks. Personally hand them to your postal carrier or make a trip to the post office or a postal drop mailbox located throughout our community.

Another issue we tend to experience at this time of year — and it’s happening again this year — is packages that are delivered to your front door by a private carrier, such as FedEx or UPS, and the packages mysteriously disappear. If you are expecting a package to be delivered, please be extra cautious until the package is in your possession.

Sun City West Posse Commander Myron Finegold and the entire staff of volunteers at the Posse want you to have a joyous holiday without the hassle of stolen checks or packages. The commander requested all patrols to be especially alert to packages sitting by front doors, near gates or by mailboxes and to request the dispatcher on duty to call the homeowner regarding the delivery. The Posse is also asking all residents to be extra cautious and keep an eye on your neighbor’s home in case they may be traveling or gone for the day when a package may arrive.

Do not allow yourself to be a victim!

The Posses will continue to provide the community with their presence during these trying times and all patrols are still on the streets. We want you to stay well so we can see you all on the streets again when this pandemic has subsided. SO, be well and stay healthy!

Editor’s Note: Jan Vejraska is Sun City West Posse public information officer.