worried: mail opened-am I about to be burgled?

Io07

Hello

Please move this if its in the wrong place...but I'm worried and need some advice on what to do next! long post apologies.

We (DH+DS+myself) live in a fairly safe(some might say even posh) neighbourhood; its a lovely house in a culdesac; lovely neighbours and until recently had no trouble at all. About 4 weeks ago, one of our neighbours had a break in (front door). Besides them our house is the only one in the road which still has the original doors/windows and we've yet to get them replaced.
Recently had home insurance come up for renewal; shopped around and bought it elsewhere and these new papers came thru' the post today. Only they were in a protective Royal mail packaging as they were "damaged in transit"! Except there was no other damage other than a careful slit along one side which I'm convinced someone made to take out our insurance documents!!!:mad:
It has lots of details on the policy + details of single item insurance for certain family heirlooms.
What do I do??? Please some one help! Should I call the Police/ insurance company?

debtfreein4years

I dont think there is much you can do. I would maybe call the insurance company and let them know that the documents were opened in transit, but what will they be able to do?

If you havent got an alarm, id maybe invest in one as that will give some peace of mind when you are out. but if someone is intent on getting in, they will get in.

Try not to worry about what could happen and if anything happens deal with it then.

gxx

Stompa

I can't see that there's much to worry about. I'd have thought the most likely scenario was that it was inadvertently opened after being delivered to a wrong address.

poppysarah

Get an alarm. Always double check everything is locked when you go out.
Get a UV marker pen and write your postcode on everything with house number in brackets. Ask if the local police give out smart water.
Take photos of everything valuable.
Get a small safe and fix it down properly hidden away. Keep bank cards, passports, cheque books, photos of valuables etc in it. Always put things back in it.
You can get a gadget for alarms that rings you (or several numbers) to let you know it's going off.
Join or start homewatch.

ALWAYS lock up!

googler

If the heirlooms are small, consider a safe deposit box at your bank.

stolt

I would definately get a alarm, i installed a simple wireless alarm covering downstairs exits and it also dials upto 10 telephone numbers if the alarm sounds , i think t only cost £25.00 delivered.

Also someone i use o work with also left £50 in notes in the kitchen fairly easily accessable, his belief was that the theives just wanted quick money and would see the money and hopefully leave as fast as they could and not trash the house.

Debt_Free_Chick

Over time I've had a number of items delivered this way as "damaged in transit".

And it's highly likely that they were as sorting of mail is largely automated (machines read the postcode).

There is no way you will know for sure, but you are possibly being over-sensitive due to the neighbour's recent burglary.

Make sure your property is secure, but you should do this anyway, not just becuase of recent events. Try not to worry.

penguine

Lots of good advice here about securing your property, and I would also recommend storing important papers in a fire proof safe. I bought one of these after a house I lived in some years ago was badly damaged by fire and one of my roommates lost virtually everything she owned.

I doubt it was a thief who opened the letter from your insurance company, they'd have had to be the world's stupidest thief to put it back into the post after opening it.

mrluke

id suggest checking ur credit rating with garlik , just incase some 1 has tried using ur documents for some illegal stuff

custardy

Io07 wrote: »

Hello

Please move this if its in the wrong place...but I'm worried and need some advice on what to do next! long post apologies.

We (DH+DS+myself) live in a fairly safe(some might say even posh) neighbourhood; its a lovely house in a culdesac; lovely neighbours and until recently had no trouble at all. About 4 weeks ago, one of our neighbours had a break in (front door). Besides them our house is the only one in the road which still has the original doors/windows and we've yet to get them replaced.
Recently had home insurance come up for renewal; shopped around and bought it elsewhere and these new papers came thru' the post today. Only they were in a protective Royal mail packaging as they were "damaged in transit"! Except there was no other damage other than a careful slit along one side which I'm convinced someone made to take out our insurance documents!!!:mad:
It has lots of details on the policy + details of single item insurance for certain family heirlooms.
What do I do??? Please some one help! Should I call the Police/ insurance company?

the machines can do just this type of damage
eg a near razor type slice along the envelope
or if the letter gets caught a bit more you get a more 'dragged' type damage along the edge

Io07

thank you everyone who has replied;
we don't have a working alarm so that will be the first thing I do (or rather DH will!) on Mon. DH thinks I'm over-reacting too-well, I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I did explore the safe deposit locker in my local bank - but far too expensive for me.I will find us a safe tho'.
Fantastic idea to photograph all my valuable; I'm doing that tonight!