What to do if…
you suspect a mailing address was changed after a death and important letters may be intercepted

What to do now

1. Secure the physical mailbox immediately.
   If you can access the property, empty the mailbox and secure it (working lock; replace if compromised). If you can’t access it safely, use a trusted keyholder, property manager, or landlord to do a same-day check and secure it.

2. If you believe theft is happening right now, put safety first.
   If you think someone is actively stealing mail, or you feel unsafe at the property, call 911.

3. Contact the local Post Office for that address and ask what they can verify or flag.
   Ask to speak with a supervisor and say: bereavement + suspected fraudulent change-of-address or mail hold. Be prepared to show ID and, if requested, proof you’re the executor/administrator. Ask what they can do to:

   • check whether there’s an active COA (Change of Address) or Hold Mail affecting delivery
   • place notes/alerts for the carrier or local unit procedures
   • advise the safest immediate option (for example, holding mail for pickup while records are corrected)

4. Report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
   File a report for suspected mail-related crime (including identity theft / fraudulent change of address or mail hold). Keep the USPIS reference number—banks and other institutions often respond faster when there’s an official report.

5. Use USPS Hold Mail tactically (only if it won’t harm others at the address).
   If the property is vacant or you need a temporary “freeze,” submit a Hold Mail request so mail is held at the Post Office for pickup. Hold Mail typically holds all mail for all individuals at the address, so only do this if it won’t disrupt uninvolved household members.

6. Set up controlled monitoring (if eligible) with realistic expectations.
   If the address is eligible, USPS Informed Delivery can show preview images of many letter-sized mailpieces and provide package notifications. Not every item is imaged or shown, and sign-up/verification requirements may apply—use it as an early-warning tool, not proof of delivery.

7. Tell the highest-risk senders to pause sensitive mail to the old address.
   Call (don’t email) the bereavement/fraud departments for banks, credit cards, insurers, retirement plan administrators, and any relevant government benefits offices. Ask them to:

   • add a note: “Do not change address without executor/administrator verification”
   • switch to a secure online inbox where possible, or hold correspondence until you confirm a safe mailing address
   • re-issue time-sensitive letters only after you confirm the mail stream is secure

8. If you suspect broader identity theft, document it and protect yourself quickly.
   Use the federal identity theft reporting route to create a record and checklist. If you think your own identity may be affected (for example, your address/mail has been hijacked), consider a fraud alert or credit freeze for yourself. For the deceased person’s file, ask each institution/credit bureau what documentation they require in a death case.

9. Start a simple one-page timeline and mail log.
   Record: date of death, when missing mail began, USPS/USPIS reference numbers, which senders say they mailed letters, and dates you checked the mailbox. This supports escalation without you having to re-tell everything under stress.