Check Crooks: Thieves are stealing checks from USPS collection boxes!
Check Crooks: USPS collections boxes are being illegally opened for checks!
Across the city of Philadelphia, thieves are gaining access into those blue USPS mail collection boxes you see on corners and stealing checks.
Thieves will dip the stolen checks in acetone to wipe out the writing and rewrite the checks to whomever and cash it. They will change the name, amount, and memo line.
Thieves will even create fake IDs and use these checks to wire money using just the account/routing numbers.
Where do they get these keys? Postal carriers are sometimes robbed of their keys or bribed. With the staffing shortages across the nation, there has been less accountability and checks on the postal carriers. While USPS is working hard to fix these issues, including changing locks across the city, here are some tips to avoid check fraud:
- Check your local USPS box mail pickup times. Drop your mail off before that pickup time.
- Avoid leaving mail in the boxes overnight.
- Go to your local USPS location and drop off mail in person.
- Avoid mailing checks if possible. Try using online payment services instead.
This information is being shared to help our residents understand why they may a victim of check fraud. Although the attached report claims this is happening in Philadelphia, this could also happen in your area.
Please see link below for full article.
