MADISON – Some Madison residents have been experiencing a big surprise when they check their mailbox.

Madison Police Department recently completed an investigation that led to the recovery of hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, along with documents that criminals use in identity theft cases. The police department encourages Madison residents “to make it hard for thieves to get your information” in a recent Facebook post (Facebook/Madison, Alabama Police Department).

Madison Police Department suggests some steps for residents to avoid becoming a victim of mail theft:

* Place outgoing mail in a U.S. Post Office drop box or drop the mail at the Post Office.

* Remove mail from the mailbox promptly, and shred all unwanted mail.

* Sign up for online billing and payments (to eliminate envelopes and paper correspondence with personal identifications).

* Enroll in the Informed Delivery service with the U.S. Postal Service (to receive a list of mail items received at the Post Office and awaiting delivery)

The police department advises that leaving mail or items containing personal identifying information in the mailbox or throwing it in the trash opens a means for thieves to use a person’s name to open credit card accounts, falsify documents and access a person’s financial information.

In other activities for the police department, Madison Police Foundation will conduct the City of Madison’s first annual Spring Clean-Up event. Discovery Middle School will host the event in the main parking lot on April 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vendors can rent booth space to sell used goods, crafts or everyday clutter. Registration deadline for a booth is April 16; the booth rental fee costs $40.

Vendors can keep revenue earned on the day of the event; however, all proceeds from booth rental will benefit Madison Police Foundation for its civic projects. Chick-fil-A and Kona Ice will be onsite to sell concessions throughout the event.

In the case of rain, the scheduled make-up date is set for May 7. For more information or to register for a booth, email Officer Shane Kyker at Shane.kyker@madisonal.gov.

For more information, visit www.madisonal.gov, click “Departments” in the dropdown menus and click “Police” in the list. Also, visit Facebook/Madison, Alabama Police Department.