PROVO — We’ve been hearing a lot about the growing problem of porch pirates stealing packages.

In fact, a recent analysis of State Farm data ranks Salt Lake City second in the nation for the most stolen packages during the holidays. Now, cyber security experts warn thieves are using a new tool from the U.S. Postal Service to get a leg up on stealing mail and identities.

Last year, the postal service rolled out Informed Delivery, a free service that sends us photos of the day’s mail before it is delivered. Automated machines scan the images as the mail gets sorted before delivery.

Robert Jorgensen is one of the 13 million Americans who use Informed Delivery, and he loves it.

“So, it shows you the letters and then it also will say if there is a package,” Jorgensen described. “It’s a great way to see what is coming to your mail, know what you’re expected. And also, you know whether it’s worth walking out to the mailbox.”

It turns out the bad guys are signing up for other people’s Informed Delivery accounts so they can monitor mailboxes for valuable mail. They can apply for a credit card in your name and then use the service to find out when the card has been delivered so they can swipe it before you have a chance to get the mail.

Michigan authorities recently arrested seven people accused of using Informed Delivery in their scheme to rack up nearly $400,000 in fraudulent credit card charges. Investigators in Florida said crooks signed up several people in the same Orlando neighborhood for the service to intercept packages and commit identity theft. Read more at KLS Salt Lake City, UT

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