Mail has become a favorite target for thieves and scammers with some 25,000 reported thefts from U.S. Post Office receptacles in the first six months of the year. Mail is particularly tempting during the holidays as people send presents – including money and gift cards – that can sit in mailboxes after delivery.

There are things you can do, however, to protect yourself from criminals and one of the most effective is also the easiest – collect your mail daily, postal officials said.

The rule applies to both letters and packages. The less time mail sits the better, making it harder for thieves or porch pirates to make off with the goods.

READ MORE: 6 things you can’t mail, according to U.S. Postal Service

“Try not to leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time,” the U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommends.

There are some other things you can do to protect yourself and your money:

• Inquire about overdue mail – If you don’t receive a check, credit card or other important pieces of mail you’re expending, contact the sender about it as soon as possible.
• Don’t send cash – Be careful about what you send. USPIS recommends against sending cash in the mail.
• Arrange for prompt pickup – If you can’t be home to receive a package, make another arrangement of use USPS Hold Mail Service. You can also use Hold for PickUp option that will allow the recipient to only collect at your local post office.
• Request signature confirmation – When mailing something important, consider requesting Signature Confirmation for the intended recipient.
• File a change of address – If you move, make sure you file a change od address with the USPS and let your financial institutions know as well. This can prevent your mail ending up in the wrong hands.