A cheque you mailed never arrived, then turned up cashed by a stranger. Or your mailbox was broken into and your bank statements are gone. Mail theft feeds cheque fraud and identity theft, so the order of your calls matters. Money first, then the paper trail.
Step by Step
1Call your bank today. If a cheque was taken, ask the bank to stop payment on any cheque that hasn't cleared, and to open a fraud claim for one that was altered or cashed. Banks set their own deadlines for reporting a forged or altered cheque, so don't wait for your next statement. Get a reference number.
2Report it to Canada Post. Call customer service at 1-866-607-6301 or open a ticket on the Canada Post support page. Say whether it was a community mailbox, a house box or an item in transit. If you got a change-of-address notice you didn't ask for, say so.
3File a police report. Theft from the mail is a federal crime. A police report number helps with your bank claim and shows a pattern if your neighbours were hit too. If you aren't sure the letter or notice you received is real, run it through our Verify a Document check first.
4Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Call 1-888-495-8501 or use the online reporting system. If your ID or tax slips were in the stolen mail, you can also log it in our Cyber Crime Report section.
5Protect your credit file. Ask Equifax and TransUnion to add a fraud alert, and check your credit report for accounts you didn't open.
Who to Call
| What happened | Call |
|---|---|
| Cheque altered or cashed Your bank's fraud line | Number on your card |
| Mail stolen or redirected Canada Post customer service | 1-866-607-6301 |
| Fraud or identity theft Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre | 1-888-495-8501 |
| Fraud alert Equifax Canada | 1-800-465-7166 |
| Fraud alert TransUnion Canada | 1-800-663-9980 |
Do It on ComplaintCA
Already filed? Track your complaint. Mailboxes in your area keep getting broken into? Find your MP and let them know. Canada Post is a federal Crown corporation.
If the Bank Says No
Ask for the refusal in writing and make a formal complaint. Federally regulated banks must answer within 56 days, and you can then go to the free banking ombudsman. Our guide on reporting fraud to your bank has the fraud lines for the big five banks and the full complaint path.
Put the dates, the cheque and your reference numbers into one clear complaint.
Draft It With Asya →Frequently Asked
Who do I report stolen mail to in Canada?
Report it to Canada Post customer service at 1-866-607-6301 and to your local police. Theft from the mail is a crime under section 356 of the Criminal Code, with a maximum of 10 years in prison.
What if someone cashed a cheque I mailed?
Call your bank the same day you find out. Banks set their own deadlines for reporting altered or forged cheques, and a late report can cost you the refund. Then report it to the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Can someone redirect my mail without my permission?
Fraudulently redirecting mail is an offence under section 356 of the Criminal Code. If you get a change-of-address notice you didn't request, or your mail suddenly stops, call Canada Post and the police right away.
Should I put a fraud alert on my credit file?
If stolen mail contained bank statements, tax slips or ID, yes. Call Equifax Canada at 1-800-465-7166 and TransUnion Canada at 1-800-663-9980. You have to ask each bureau separately.
Sources & Verification
Figures, rules and phone numbers in this article come from official sources:
- Criminal Code, section 356 — Theft from mail
- Canada Post — Support and contact us
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Report fraud and cybercrime
- Government of Canada — Credit bureau and CAFC contact numbers
- Equifax Canada — Placing a fraud alert
- CTV News — Ontario business owner's stolen $10K cheque
This article is general information, not legal advice. Learn more about how ComplaintCA verifies information on our About page.