Mail theft is on the rise in Utah, and Provo is no exemption.

No problem has been reported on campus, according to Terri Averett, supervisor of University Station on BYU, but cases of meth-related mail theft have been found in the surround Provo area.

U.S. Postal Inspector Terry Wilson said, "There is mail theft going on a daily basis. There is more of it in Salt Lake County due to the population, but we investigate a lot of stolen mail out of Utah County also."

Wilson said mail theft is nearly all related to meth users who feel it is an easy way for them to purchase drugs.

Personal checks used to pay bills will be "washed," which means the ink on the original check will be erased and a new amount forged, Wilson said.

"People will get a bank statement seeing that their check of $50 is now $500," Wilson said.

Charges have not been filed yet against a female being held at the Utah County jail under arrest for mail theft.

The case has been turned over to the U.S. Attorney.

According to Wilson, she was involved with break in to community mailboxes, and was negotiating 14 checks from the break in.

Todd Breckenridge, Provo police officer said, "Nearly all mail theft is related to identity theft. Stolen checks will be washed, and used under false identity."

Breckenridge arrested two people several months ago linked to identity theft.

Wilson said people will usually find out with in a month whether they have been a victim of mail theft.

"If there is anything done with your mail of a financial nature, most people will find out when they get their next bank or credit card statement, or they find out before then," Wilson said. "They will get a phone call from bank or store, asking if they actually wrote the check. Or the police will call them because they arrested someone on possession of their mail."

Common targets for mail theft are community mailboxes that have both incoming and outgoing mail. Curbside mailboxes are at also risk when the flag is up.

To prevent mail theft is to not put outgoing mail a community mailbox, Wilson said. Hand mail to the letter carriers directly, or use mailboxes at work or school. Take bills directly to the post office or use the blue collection boxes.

For incoming mail, try to go out and get it as soon as the mailman comes by.

"Never leave mail in a mailbox overnight or over weekend," Wilson said. "Have a neighbor pick it up if necessary."