COLCHESTER, Vt. -
On Wednesday Ginger Farineau decided to greet her mailman.
"Here you go," said the mailman.
"Thank you," said Farineau.
And even though she's collected her mail, Farineau's eyes aren't off the front yard.
"I have my camera ready to take a picture," said Farineau.
Farineau is on high alert because she's one of several people Colchester police say has had someone else going through her mail.
"We go out to get our mail and you see stuff on the ground, so you pick it up and its cards that have been ripped open," said Farineau.
Police say it's been happening for the past couple of weeks on Mallet's Bay Avenue.
But it could really happen anywhere.
To protect yourself, here are some basic rules police told us about; don't send cash, leave mail out overnight or leave it unlocked.
Because it's been such a problem the post office is going to be putting mailers in people's mailboxes with advice so it doesn't happen to more people.
Although they don't have any suspects, police say if caught, that person could face several years behind bars.
"Larceny charges, depending on how much money or stuff taken it could be grand larceny or petite larceny," said Colchester Police Officer Chris Jones.
Not to mention tampering with mail is a federal crime.
Even with the threat of jail, Farineau isn't convinced someone will stop.
"They must get stuff because they did it last year and continue doing it," said Farineau.
A holiday surprise she wished didn't come in the mail.
If this has happened to you, police say you should give them a call.
In Colchester you can reach them at 802-264-5556.
